The Orlov Brothers. 1762–1820

23 hrs. 27 min.

Language Russian

Author Lev Polushkin

Narrator Natalia Litvinova

Description

The book by L. P. Polushkin is devoted to the life and activities of the Orlov brothers: Ivan, Grigory, Alexey, Fyodor, and Vladimir. Special attention is paid to Grigory’s personality, who for more than ten years was a favorite and one of Catherine the Great’s closest advisers, and to Alexey—the commander-in-chief of the Russian forces in the Mediterranean, who defeated the Turkish fleet and is also known for having, by order of Catherine, delivered Princess Tarakanova to Russia, who proclaimed herself the heir to the Russian throne. True patriots of Russia, the Orlov brothers played a prominent role in the history of the Catherine era. The author’s work is based on reliable materials, among which a significant place is given to letters of the story’s heroes, as well as the memoir and epistolary legacy of foreigners, primarily diplomats.

Contents:

Preface
Chapter I. The young years of the Orlov brothers
The Orlov family. “Old man” Ivan. Debauched youth
The first years of service. Captain G. Orlov in Königsberg
Arrival in St. Petersburg. Conditions at a small court
Grigory’s first steps at the highest court
Peter III’s displeasure. The palace coup of 1762
June 28
Panic in Peterhof
Between Peterhof and Ropsha
Was Peter Fedorovich murdered?
The first rewards for the Orlovs
New conspiracies
“The Shlisselburg fiasco”
White spots in the case of Lieutenant Mirovich
Chapter II. Prince Grigory Grigorievich
The start of service
Characteristics of Grigory Orlov
The personality of Catherine II, her appearance
German settlements on the Volga
G. Orlov—a favorite and statesman
At the turn of fate
Plague riot
Entertainments of Catherine’s court
The beginning of a rift with Catherine II
Last years at court
The rise of G. Potemkin
Grigory’s marriage. Treatment with mineral waters
Death
Chapter III. The griffin Alexey Grigorievich in service
About the heir of Elizabeth Petrovna
The beginning of the war with Turkey
With the charlatan/wise man Yerofeich
Expedition to the Archipelago. In distant seas
Archipelago in flames
Chesma battle
Adventure with the daughter of the Turkish pasha
After the Chesma battle
Recognition in Vienna
Private matters
Growing interest of the Italians in Russia
End of the war
Princess Tarakanova
Augusta Tarakanova—nun Dosifeia
Before returning to Russia
Chapter IV. Count A. G. Orlov-Chesmensky in retirement
Life of leisure and first hobby
Running/betting/races
Alexey Orlov’s marriage
Maria Semyonovna Bakhmetyeva
Meetings of A. G. Orlov and Catherine II in the last years of her life
Death of Catherine the Great
Coronation of the skeleton and burial of royal remains
Forgotten names
N. I. Panin—one of the “ruling persons”
Confessions of F. Rostopchin
What happened in Ropsha?
Last years of life
Death
Chapter V. Count Vladimir Grigorievich. Countess Anna Orlova-Chesmensky
Service at the academy. Travels
Noble hunting
Semyonovskoye—Delight
Summer life of the count
Return to burned Moscow
Last years of life of Count Vladimir Grigorievich
Death of Count Vladimir
Countess Anna Alekseyevna Orlova-Chesmensky
Archimandrite Fotiy
Death of Countess Anna Alekseyevna
Iver Chapel
In old portraits
Travels of the remains of the Orlov brothers