stage works (notably Prostachka (‘The Simpleton’), 1870) are representative of a popular folk genre that was melodically fluid, singable, pictorial and emotionally evocative. His instrumental writing does not extend far beyond the simple development of folktunes. Nevertheless, he composed 12 symphonies (overtures), on the sixth of which Stanislav Lyudkevich based an orchestral piece and a piano trio. He also composed Zapovit (‘Testament’, 1868), a setting of Shevchenko’s poem for bass solo, double choir and orchestra, the operetta Podgoryane which was staged in Lemberg (now L′viv, 1864), and numerous sacred and secular choral works and songs. He is best known as the composer of the Ukrainian national anthem by the words of Pavel Chubinsky Shche ne vmerla Ukrayiny (‘Ukraine has not Perished’), which in 1917 was adopted by the new Ukrainian republican government. Compositions Musicologist Uliana Petrus' has put together a list of 133 known compositions by M. Verbytsky. These include: Large scale secular choral works - 30 Sacred choral works - 37 Vocal ensembles Art songs - 10 Arrangements of folk songs - 10 Orchestral works - 18 works including 9 symphonies Chamber works 15 works for various instruments Music to 12 stage works Commemoration In 2005 the chapel-pantheon over the tomb of Mykhailo Verbytsky was opened to mark the 140th anniversary of Ukrainian national anthem and 190th anniversary of its composer. References Sources Andriy V. Szul. The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, edited by Stanley Sadie (1992). and Загайкевич, Марія Михайло Вербицький - Сторінки життя і творчості - Львів, 1998 External links 1815 births 1870 deaths People from Przemyśl County Ukrainian classical composers Polish composers National anthem writers Polish opera composers 19th-century classical composers