The tragic events of the early 20th century not only divided the history of our country into two parts but also forever separated many families, scattering them on different sides of the iron curtain of Soviet dictatorship.

Many representatives of ancient Russian noble families were destroyed, some managed to emigrate, while others remained under the new regime. Only a few managed to survive and lead a more or less dignified life. One of these individuals was Ksenia Alexandrovna Erdeli, who not only survived but also achieved a high position in the field of Soviet art.

Ksenia Alexandrovna came from an ancient Hungarian noble family, among whose members were many prominent public figures and talented military personnel who served the good of Russia. Among them was the hero of World War I, cavalry general Ivan Georgievich Erdeli, a close associate of Generals Kornilov and Denikin.

Ksenia Alexandrovna was born on March 8, 1878. She received an excellent education at the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens and then studied harp with the renowned teacher Ekaterina Adolfovna Walter-Kyune. Even then, she understood that playing the harp would become not just a hobby but the meaning of her entire life.

Thanks to her talent and hard work, Ksenia Alexandrovna was already performing in the orchestra of the Italian Opera at the age of 17 and later soloed at the Bolshoi Theatre. In addition to performing in several orchestras, she actively engaged in teaching. Even after the revolution, she continued her musical career and became a professor at the Moscow Conservatory in 1939.

Unfortunately, Stalin's repressions also affected her family: in the spring of 1931, her husband Nikolai Nikolaevich Engelhardt was sentenced to 10 years in prison. A year later, thanks to Ksenia Alexandrovna's connections, he was able to be released from the Gulag.

Ksenia Alexandrovna Erdeli lived a rich musical life, successfully performing in various corners of the USSR and writing memoirs. She passed away on May 27, 1971, and was buried at Novodevichy Cemetery.