Composers

The death of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is surrounded in mystery. The truth is that no-one knows for certain how the great composer died, but what we do know is that he died of symptoms that were either caused by cholera or arsenic poisoning.

All of the theories regarding Tchaikovsky's death agree that we died of what appeared to have been cholera. In other words, extreme diarrhoea which results in dehydration, kidney failure and eventually death.

The general consensus is that Tchaikovsky drank water that had been contaminated by the cholera bacteria, vibrio cholerae. Whether he drank this water knowing that it was contaminated, in order to end his own life, or whether he drank it unwittingly are questions that may never be answered. In fact, as you will soon find out, this may not even have been the cause of death.

There is another theory which suggests that Tchaikovsky may have taken, or been given, arsenic, which would have presented the symptoms of cholera. And to encourage this theory are a handful of, what are basically conspiracy theories, as to why anyone would want to kill the renowned composer.

All of them, in some way or another, are related to the fact that he was, secretly, an homosexual. People wanting to kill him for the reason that, by dying he was doing the honourable thing. Those people who apparently wanted to kill him include Tsar Alexander III and a mysterious "Court of Honour".

Whichever way you choose to look at it, because at the end of the day there is no right answer concerning this unanswerable question, is up to you. Personally, I think it's good to have a little faith in the composer of such beautiful music as the Pathetique symphony, Swan Lake, the Nutcracker Suite and many other pieces, and let his memory be a good one. As far as I'm concerned, the answer to your question is no, and Tchaikovsky died of an unfortunate case of cholera.

Che Gelida Manina

(literally : what a cold little hand)