Musorgsky's Gravestone

[Patricia A. Krafcik]

Dear SEELANGERS:

Might anyone know why the composer Modest Musorgsky's gravestone does not sport a cross or any evident Christian or Orthodox Christian symbol, but instead what appears a Star of David above the engraving of his head? Gravestones
of other Russian composers routinely included Christian symbols, but not his (unless there is something I cannot discern in the photos). The monument, according to biographers, was designed by an architect by the name Bogomolov, and the bust by a young sculptor by the name of Ginzburg. On the stone is an inscription of two lines from Pimen's narrative (from "Boris Godunov"): "And thus the future generations/Will of their faith and people learn the past." 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and perhaps specific information about this issue.
--Patricia Krafcik
The Evergreen State College
krafcikp at evergreen.edu

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