Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ballet and opera in St Petersburg, the Mariinsky Theatre is an attraction in its own
right, whether or not you manage to get tickets to see a performance. Known as the
Kirov Ballet during the Soviet era, the dance company confusingly still tours the
world under this name, as its Soviet-era association with Nureyev, Baryshnikov et al
brings more ticket sales.
Despite this odd tie to the past, the current general and artistic director Valery Ger-
giev has led the venue bravely into the modern world, and construction work on the
New Mariinsky Theatre is finally finishing for its opening in 2012. It's the first new
opera house to have been built in Russia since imperial times. Tickets can be bought
online, in person or through ticket offices all over town, but should be bought in ad-
vance during the summer months, and at any time if you'd like to see a premiere or a
famous classical work from the Mariinsky's repertoire.
THE
THEATRE
TRE
YUSUPOV PALACE THEATRE
yet intimate venue was the home entertainment centre for one of the city's foremost
aristocratic families. While you can visit the theatre when you tour the palace, seeing
a performance here is a treat, as you can imagine yourself the personal guest of crazy
Prince Felix himself. The shows are a mixed bag - usually a 'Gala Evening' that fea-
tures fragments of various Russian classics.
CONCER
ONCERT HALL
T HALL
MARIINSKY CONCERT HALL
this concert hall is a magnificent multifaceted creation. It manages to preserve the his-
toric brick facade of the set and scenery warehouse that previously stood on this spot,
while the modern main entrance, facing ul Dekabristov, is all tinted glass and angular
lines, hardly hinting at the beautiful old building behind. Its array of classical orches-
tral performances is superb, but be aware that it's a modern venue, and won't provide
your typical 'night at the Mariinsky' atmosphere.
MMUSIC SCHO
SIC SCHOOOL
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV CONSERVATORY
