Alexander Andreyevich Arkhangelsky was a prominent Russian composer and conductor, born on 23 October 1846 in Staroye Tezikovo, Penza Governorate, and passed away on 16 November 1924 in Prague. He was renowned for his significant contributions to Russian church music and choral singing.

Arkhangelsky received his initial musical training at the Penza Theological Seminary, where he also sang in the choir of the Archbishop of Penza from a young age. He later taught singing at the same seminary. In 1872, he earned the title of precentor after passing an examination at the Imperial Court Chapel. His career as a conductor began in 1873, leading various church choirs in St. Petersburg, including the choir of Count Sheremetev from 1889 to 1898.

In 1880, Arkhangelsky founded his own choir in St. Petersburg, notable for replacing boys' voices with women's, which was innovative at the time. From 1883, he toured with this choir both in Russia and internationally, performing a repertoire that included Russian and Western sacred music, secular choruses, and folk song arrangements. He established the Church Singers' Benefit Society in 1902 in St. Petersburg and was active in teaching choral singing across various educational institutions, as well as publishing choral anthologies.

Arkhangelsky's work is characterized by his development of the "St. Petersburg style" of church music, which he enriched with complex compositions inspired by Western European polyphony. He composed over 300 sacred works, including complete liturgical cycles like the Divine Liturgy, the All-Night Vigil, and the Memorial Service. His secular works include a cappella choruses and Russian folk song arrangements.

Alexander Arkhangelsky's legacy in Russian choral and church music remains influential, with his compositions continuing to be performed and studied.