Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (March 18, 1844 – June 21, 1908) was a prominent Russian composer and a key member of the group known as The Five, who were dedicated to creating a nationalistic Russian style of classical music. Born in Tikhvin, near Novgorod, Russia, Rimsky-Korsakov was influenced by his family's naval background and developed a lifelong fascination with the sea, which is reflected in many of his works.

Initially trained for a naval career, Rimsky-Korsakov began composing music intuitively during his naval service. His early exposure to music was guided by Mily Balakirev, under whose mentorship he began composing a symphony. After graduating from the naval academy, he embarked on a global voyage, which further cemented his love for the sea—a theme prevalent in compositions such as "Scheherazade" and "Sadko."

In 1871, Rimsky-Korsakov was appointed as a professor at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, despite realizing he lacked formal training in the subjects he was to teach. This led him to undertake a rigorous self-education program, through which he mastered Western compositional techniques and integrated them with Russian folk elements and musical orientalism. His works often featured fairy-tale and folk subjects, and he became renowned for his orchestration skills, exemplified in pieces like "Capriccio Espagnol" and the "Russian Easter Festival Overture."

Rimsky-Korsakov's influence extended beyond his compositions; he played a crucial role in editing and preparing works by The Five for performance, significantly shaping the Russian classical music repertoire. His teaching and editorial work helped bridge the gap between the autodidactic methods of earlier Russian composers and the professional training that became standard by the late 19th century. Through his students and his writings, such as the "Principles of Orchestration," Rimsky-Korsakov's impact reached future generations of composers, both Russian and international, including Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy. He is celebrated as a central figure in the development of a distinctly Russian style of classical music.