Mariinsky theatre

In the 30s of the 18th century in St. Petersburg, opera and ballet court performances were given in rooms that were not suitable for such purposes. On October 5, 1783, the production of J. Paisiello’s opera “The World of the Moon” solemnly opened the Bolshoi Stone Theatre on Carousel Square, now called Theatre.

In 1849, the Horse Circus was built opposite the Stone Theatre by the architect Kavos, where theatrical performances were also given. After the fire, the circus was restored and on October 2, 1860, the opera "Life for the Tsar" was opened in a new capacity - now it was intended only for theater productions. This day is considered the second date of birth of the Mariinsky Theatre, which received its name in honor of the wife of Emperor Alexander II Maria Feodorovna.

Even then, the Mariinsky Theatre with its beauty and splendor eclipsed the largest European theaters. At the end of the 19th century, he had another building with a spacious lobby, a foyer and grand staircases. The magnificent interiors of the Mariinsky Theatre glorified it no less than the great singers, dancers, conductors and choreographers who worked on its stage. During the siege of Leningrad, the theater building was badly damaged, but by the autumn of 1944 it was almost restored. In 1968-1970, as a result of reconstruction, the stage and orchestra pit of the theater were significantly improved. In 2006, the troupe and orchestra of the theater received at their disposal the Concert Hall on Decembristov Street.

On the Mariinsky stage at different times performed outstanding opera singers Chaliapin, Ershov, Figner, Sobinov, Reisen. No less famous are the names of the dancers of the Mariinsky Ballet - Istomina, Semenova, Kshesinskaya, Nijinsky, Ulanova, Pavlova, Nureyev, Baryshnikov. And today, world-class stars shine on its stage, and the Mariinsky Theatre itself stands on a par with the world's leading opera and ballet theaters.