:: The Mariinsky Theatre ::

The history of the Mariinsky Ballet Company dates from 1783, when the Bolshoi Theatre was opened on the site now occupied by the Conservatoire.

The new theatre was opened on the 2nd of October 1860 with a performance of Glinka's opera A Life for the Tsar. It was named the Mariinsky Theatre after Alexander II's wife Maria. According to contemporaries, it was «the finest theatre in Europe». The theatre's magnificent decor has survived almost unchanged to the present day. Dazzling white sculptures, lustrous gilt and light blue drapings and upholstery all combine to create the beautiful and unusual colour scheme of the Mariinsky's auditorium.

Address: 1, Teatralnaya Square (subway station «Sadovaya»).
Phone: (+7-812) 114-1211
Official website: www.mariinsky.ru

:: St.Petersburg Mussorgsky state academic opera and ballet theatre - Mikhailovsky theatre ::

On 8 November 1833 the first performance took place on the stage of the Imperial Mikhailovsky Theatre just built by the architect A. Briullov. The building, very well included in the architectural ensemble of the Mikhailovsky square, became the third Imperial stage in St. Petersburg.

The main strategic task of the theatre is a reviviscence of Russian classical operas. Along with Russian classic masterpieces the European great operas are performed.

Address: Ploshchad Iskusstv, 1 (subway station «Nevsky Prospect»).
Phone: (+7-812) 595-4284, 595-4305
Official website: www.reserve.sp.ru/opera

:: Alexandrinsky Theatre ::

The former Alexandrinsky Theatre (named after Alexandrina, the wife of tsar Nicolas I) is now the premises of the Pushkin Academic Theatre of Drama. The building was constructed by Carlo Rossi in the Ostrovsky Square in 1828 - 1832 as a part of an ensemble. Many names are associated with the theatre that have been the glory of Russian acting art. Up to these days the Theatre has kept its reputation as one of the most prestigious stages of dramatic art in Russia.

Address: Ostrovsky Square, 2 (subway station «Gostiny Dvor»).
Phone: (+7-812) 110-4103, 312-1545

:: Saint-Petersburg Academic Philarmonic ::

The St. Petersburg Philharmonia, the oldest Philharmonia in Russia, is almost two hundred years old. Its history goes back to 1802 when the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Society, the first one in Europe, was created. It organized the world premiere of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis in 1824.

Nowadays the philharmonic concerts are held in two halls. The building housing the Philharmonia Grand Hall was constructed in 1839 by the architect P. Jacot (the facade designed by C. Rossi) for the St. Petersburg Assembly of the Noble. The building housing the Small Hall was erected in the middle of the XVIII century after the design by F.B. Rastrelli. In 1802 the Philharmonic Society, the first one in Europe, started its concert activity in the hall.

Grand Hall: Mikhailovskaya str., 2 (subway station «Nevsky Prospect»).
Phone: (+7-812) 110-4257
Small Hall: Nevsky pr., 30 (subway station «Nevsky Prospect»).
Phone: (+7-812) 117-8333
Official website: www.philharmonia.spb.ru