Theatres and concerts

The cultural capital of Russia has a lot to offer for entertainment satisfying all tastes.  Those who love classic arts can use the opportunity to visit famous theatres and concert halls of St. Petersburg.  Russian opera and ballet are famous in the world for over 100 years.  Music festivals play a special role in the cultural life of St. Petersburg.  The largest and the most well known is the International Arts Festival “Stars of the White Nights” held since 1993 under the initiative of Valery Gergiev, a world known conductor.  St. Petersburg is also rich with theatre traditions: you can see everything from a musical to a tragedy in more than 50 theatres and theatre studios of the city.  Your visit to Russia would be incomplete without visiting a folk show.  Best professional companies of this country consisting of over 100 players each will show the best of Russian folk arts. 

Mariinsky Theatre (Kirovsky Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre):

the Mariinsky Theatre is one of the largest and oldest musical theatres in Russia and it is well known all over the world.  In 1860, Glinka’s opera “A Life for the Tsar” was staged in this theatre.  Operas and ballets created by great Russian composers were staged here.  Valery Gergiev who is the chief artistic director of the theatre is one of the best conductors in the world.

 Mikhalovsky Theatre:

The Mikhailovsky theatre is the second largest musical theatre in St. Petersburg.  The theatre was named Mikhalovsky after brother of Emperor Nicolas II (1833). Premieres of works of Prokofiev, Kabalevsky, Shostakovich, and Schedrin were staged here.  Today the repertoire of the theatre includes world classic operas and ballets: “The Swan Lake", “The Nutcracker”, “Don Quixote”, “Boris Godunov”, “Romeo and Juliet”.

Hermitage Theatre:

It is the oldest theatre of St. Petersburg.  It was opened as a theatre in 1785 for Catherine the Great.  The whole European and Russian repertoire of the XVIII century was staged in this theatre.  After Catherine the Great’s death, in 1796, it ceased its performances.  All attempts to restore the theatre in the XIX century were unsuccessful.  In 1989, after the reconstruction of the Hermitage Theatre it was opened again.  Now Russian ballet stars perform here. 

Alexandrinsky Theatre (the Russian State Pushkin Academy Theatre):

The Alexandrinsky Theatre is the oldest theatre in Russia.  The building was constructed under the project of K. Rossi, in 1832, and is an architectural masterpiece of the XIX century.  The theatre was named after the wife of Emperor Nicolas II (Alexandra).  In the beginning the company of the theatre was staging ballets, operas, and dramas.  Presently the theatre is restoring this tradition.  Although it is called the drama theatre ballet companies and opera singers perform here again. 

Tovstonogov Bolshoy Drama Theatre:

This theatre is one of the leading drama theatres in Russia staging Russian and world classics.  In Summer the theatre presents ballet performances.

Grand Hall of Rimsky-Korskov Conservatory:

Many eminent singers, musicians, and conductors were starting their artistic careers in the Grand Hall of Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. 

 Shostakovich Philharmonic (The Grand Hall):

Shostakovich Philharmonic is the oldest music institution in Russia, and is one of the largest.  In 1921, the Philharmonic Society was founded.  Presently the Philharmonic Society includes two philharmonic orchestras.  Such world famous conductors and musicians as Mravinsky, Zanderling, Svetlanov, Temirkanov, Richter, and Rostropovich were performing here. 

 Falk show in St. Petersburg. 

Lyric and merry dancing and quire masterpieces will help you sensing the national features of Russian art.  All dancers are faultless in performing their parts.  One of the most important elements of the dance is the costume.  It helps the choreographer's idea reach the viewer making the scene more expressive.  You also have the opportunity to enjoy famous Russian songs “Katjusha”, “Kalinka", and "Moscow Nights" accompanied by a large orchestra of Russian national instruments.  All companies performing for you have gained success not only in Russia, but all over the world.  We can safely say that the impression that folk shows leave on the viewer may be described as a "fairytale".