Ivan Vsevolozhsky

Ivan Alexandrovich Vsevolozhsky (; 1835–1909) was a Russian diplomat, theatre director, librettist, and designer. He served as Director of the Imperial Theatres for Saint Petersburg from 1886 to 1899. He commissioned Tchaikovsky to compose the ballets "The Sleeping Beauty" (1890) and "The Nutcracker" (1892). He wrote the libretti for both ballets with Marius Petipa. Vsevolozhsky designed costumes and scenery for 25 operas and ballets. In 1899, he was appointed Director of the Hermitage Museum. He remained in this post until his death in 1909.