The Mariinsky Theatre (the former Kirov Theatre)

The Mariinsky Theatre (the former Kirov Theatre)

It is one of the largest and oldest theatres in Russia. The theatre is famous all over the world. Its auditorium, in which the atmosphere of the tsars' period is still alive,can seat 1760 spectators. The theatre was named in honour of Maria, the wife of Alexander II. Operas of great Russian composers were staged here. World-known stars such as E. Lav-rovskaya, F. Shalyapin, M. Kshesinskaya, A. Pavlova, T. Karsavina, V. Nizhinsky, M. Fokin and G. Ulanova performed in the Mariinsky Theatre. One of the most famous contemporary ballerinas working in the theatre is Diana Vishneva. Valery Gergiev, one of the best conductors of the world, is the chief conductor and the art manager of the theatre. Here, one can see first-class ballet and opera performances; operas are executed in the language of the original. Classical Russian ballets to the music by Tchaikovsky such as "Swan lake", "Sleeping Beauty", "Nutcracker"; operas by Tchaikovsky: "Eugene Onegin", "Queen of Spades", "Boris Godunov" by Musorgsky etc. are staged here. The theatre is as famous as the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.