Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857) was a Russian composer often regarded as the father of Russian classical music. He is best known for his operas, particularly A Life for the Tsar and Ruslan and Lyudmila, which helped establish a national style in music. Glinka's work combined elements of Russian folk music with Western classical traditions, influencing many composers who followed him. Glinka's contributions to music extended beyond opera; he also composed orchestral works and chamber music. His innovative approach laid the groundwork for later Russian composers, such as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Modest Mussorgsky, who further developed the Russian musical identity.