Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg – history, photos, description, how to get there
The Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg is one of the world-class stage venues. Its visit is an important point of the tourist program of stay in the Northern capital of Russia. The official website of the Mariinsky Theater helps to get acquainted with the theater's repertoire and book tickets for performances in advance.
Story
Empress Catherine II is considered to be the ideological founder of the theatre. By her order, a theater troupe was organized, performing in the premises of the Moscow Conservatory. In 1783, the building of the theater-circus was opened on Carousel Square (later changed its name to Teatralnaya). As a result of the fire, the old building burned down. The new theater was commissioned to build the Italian architect Alberto Cavos. The troupe was under the patronage of the imperial family, therefore it received the name of the wife of Emperor Alexander II – Maria Alexandrovna. The opening of the Mariinsky Theater was marked by the premiere performance of Glinka's opera A Life for the Tsar.
At the end of the 19th century the interior has been changed. The architect V. Schroeter significantly supplemented the theater complex with premises with workshops and dressing rooms. The stage was converted for choreographic performances. After the establishment of the power of the Bolsheviks, the Mariinsky Theater was transferred under the care of the Commissariat of Education. During the Great Patriotic War, the troupe was evacuated beyond the Urals. In Perm, the artists continued to stage performances and returned to Leningrad after the blockade was lifted. At the beginning of the 21st century The Mariinsky Theater has new stages in St. Petersburg and branches in other cities. From the end of the 80s. the artistic director is the conductor V. Gergiev.
Reenactments and first performance
On October 2, 1860, the first performance was given in the building of the Mariinsky Theater. For the premiere, they chose Mikhail Glinka's patriotic opera A Life for the Tsar. She became the “calling card” of the famous St. Petersburg theater. However, historians believe that the title of the 1st production should be given to G. Paisiello's opera Lunar World.
The main building of the Mariinsky Theater has undergone several renovations:
Return of historical name
After the establishment of Soviet power in 1917, the name of the theater was abolished. They began to call him the State. In 1919, the team was awarded the title of Academic. In the 30s. in memory of S. Kirov, the theater was awarded the right to bear his name.
Twice the theater troupe was awarded honorary orders:
In January 1992, the Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after S. M. Kirov received its historical name – the Mariinsky Theater of Leningrad Order of Lenin and the Order of the October Revolution.
Venues
The Mariinsky Theater has 6 stages. They are located in different cities of the Russian Federation:
Main building of the Mariinsky Theater
Mariinka -1, where the main stage of the famous theater is located, is an old building of the 19th century. Its project was developed by the architect A.K. Kavos and supplemented by V.A. Schreter at the end of the 19th century. The case is made in the style of classicism. A turret rises above the domed top.
The interior decoration strikes with luxury and splendor of decoration. The hall, foyer and hall are decorated with sculptures, moldings, and wall paintings. Authors of paintings:
The drawing of the curtain on the stage corresponds to the texture of the imperial train of Maria Alexandrovna. It is the emblem of the Mariinsky Theatre.
The hall is designed for 1609 seats. Stage dimensions:
Second scene
Mariinsky-2 was created specifically for the needs of the theater and in accordance with modern technical requirements. Its parameters are:
Architects from Russia, Canada, Great Britain, Austria worked on the project and improvement of the internal space. The audience seats in the hall are arranged in several tiers. The central position is occupied by a box for guests of honor (analogous to the Royal box). The stage is equipped with technical means that allow you to quickly change the scenery. The depth of 80 m allows you to create a powerful acoustic effect. The second stage was opened to the public in 2013.
Concert Hall (third stage)
Mariinka-3 was created on the basis of pre-revolutionary workshops for the production of scenery. The building was built in accordance with the sketches of the architect V. Schroeter. At the beginning of the 21st century it was completely destroyed in the fire.
The new premises were developed by a tandem of specialists:
The concert hall is designed for vocal and symphonic performances, as well as audio recordings. Its main characteristics:
In 2009, a French-made organ was installed in the premises. The building is a monument of urban planning and is included in the list of objects of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation.
seaside scene
The most remote stage of the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theater is located in the Far East region. It is located in the Opera and Ballet Theater in Vladivostok. The new building was being built for the APEC summit. Design work was carried out by specialists from Omsk.
The building has 2 halls:
During construction, preference was given to natural materials (wood, stone), which contributed to the creation of a powerful acoustic effect. The building is also equipped with equipment for the needs of people with special needs (ramps, elevators). The opening of the Primorsky Stage took place in 2013.
National Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania
The building of the North Ossetian Opera and Ballet Theater in Vladikavkaz (Tkhapsaev St., 18) has been the stage of the Mariinsky Theater since 2017. The complex of premises along the Terek bank was designed by the architect I.V. Ryabikin in 1910. Construction work was carried out in the 50s. under the guidance of architect T. M. Butaeva. The building has been declared a national treasure of republican significance.
The hall simultaneously accommodates 680 people. Scene:
North Ossetian State Philharmonic
Since 2017, the Mariinsky Theater has been renting the building of the North Ossetian Philharmonic. For 10 years, artists from St. Petersburg will be able to perform stage activities in the premises of the former Lutheran Cathedral, located at the address: Vladikavkaz, Miller St. 34. The German church (19th century) was transformed into a cultural and educational institution in 1944. In 2015-16 The building has undergone a major overhaul. The historical appearance of the building has remained unchanged.
Classical heritage in the repertoire
The stage of the Mariinsky Theater has become famous in the history of theatrical art of Russia as a venue for the premiere performances of the classics of the ballet and opera genre. In the 19th – early 20th century. the artists of the Mariinsky Theater were involved in the first productions:
During the Soviet period, the creative baggage of the theater troupe was replenished with performances imbued with a revolutionary spirit and meeting the requirements of socialist realism. However, the classics were not forgotten. The annual playbill of the Mariinsky Theater necessarily includes, along with the premieres, productions that the audience has loved from the past repertoire. The stage of the Mariinsky Theater still shows Swan Lake, Giselle, Carmen, etc.
Troupes
The creative team of the theater includes 2 troupes:
The ballet troupe originated at the end of the 18th century. Its backbone was made up of court dancers, graduates of the French dance school under the direction of J. Lande. In the 19th and 20th centuries renowned choreographers collaborated with the Mariinsky Theater artists:
The names of outstanding dancers such as Vaslav Nezhinsky, Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov are inscribed in the history of the theatre. The glory of Russian ballet was claimed and supported by ballerinas – Matilda Kshesinskaya, Anna Pavlova, Galina Ulanova. Until the beginning of the 19th century. mostly foreign artists performed on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. In the 30-40s. 19th century a Russian opera troupe is gradually being formed. The theater's repertoire was constantly replenished with new operas by European and Russian composers, which contributed to the expansion of the troupe and the involvement of artists with exceptional singing skills.
The first voices of the Mariinsky Theater were:
The troupes include artists with the titles of Honored and People's, laureates of national and international competitions.
Festivals
The artistic group of the Mariinsky Theater takes an active part in cultural events organized in the city on the Neva. Since 1993, on the initiative of V. Gergiev, the Stars of the White Nights art festival has been regularly held in the northern capital. It has an international status, has highly recommended itself at the world level and is included in the Top 10 musical concert programs of the classical genre.
During the festival, the most famous performers and groups perform on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater, presenting novelties in the field of symphonic and chamber music, opera and ballet. Stars of the White Nights helps new talents to open up and establish close partnerships between theater companies. Residents and guests of the city have the opportunity to get to know the national art and cultural heritage of other countries within the framework of the festival.
The theater stages host a number of genre festivals:
Theatrical productions from the repertoire of the Mariinsky Theater are constantly included in the festival programs of the Moscow Easter and Maslenitsa. The theater management pays great attention to introducing the younger generation to the masterpieces of world classics. Especially for children and youth, the Mariinsky Theater organizes:
Opening hours and ticket prices
Tickets are purchased directly at the box office of the theater (Mariinka-1, Mariinka-2, Concert Hall). They are open from 11 am to 7 pm daily. From 14:00 to 15:00 there is a break at the ticket office of the Concert Hall. From 18.30 Only tickets for the current day are sold. The ticket price depends on the performance and the place in the hall. Regular viewers recommend listening to opera performances from the 3rd tier of the Main Hall of the Mariinsky Theater and watching the ballet from the mezzanine. It is believed that the most comfortable location for viewing the stage is closer to the center of the hall.
Ticket prices for performances range from 1,340 to 12,000 rubles. The approximate cost of tickets in different buildings of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg:
Main scene:
New scene:
Concert hall:
You can choose a convenient seat and book tickets in advance through the official website of the Mariinsky Theatre.
Where is it located and how to get there
The theater occupies 3 buildings in St. Petersburg, located at different addresses:
The theater can be conveniently reached by using ground or underground transport: