César Cui was a Russian composer, music critic, and military engineer, born on January 18, 1835, in Vilnius, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He is best known as one of the members of the Mighty Handful, a group of composers who aimed to create a distinctly Russian style of classical music. Cui's works include operas, orchestral music, and chamber pieces, showcasing his unique melodic style. In addition to his compositions, Cui was a prominent music critic, writing extensively for various publications. His critiques often focused on the works of his contemporaries, including Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Modest Mussorgsky. Despite being less recognized today, Cui's contributions to Russian music and his role in the Mighty Handful remain significant.