_HISTORY OF THE \ THEATRE:
For more than two centuries the Mariinsky Theatre has been presenting the world with a plethora of great artistes: the outstanding bass and founding father of the Russian operatic performing school Osip Petrov served here; this is where such great singers as Fyodor Chaliapin, Ivan Yershov, Medea and Nikolai Figner and Sofia Preobrazhenskaya honed their skills and rose to glory. Ballet dancers reigned supreme on this stage, among them Mathilde Kschessinska, Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, Galina Ulanova, Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov. This is where George Balanchine set out on the road to art. This theatre has witnessed the dawn of the talents of such brilliant theatre decorators as Konstantin Korovin, Alexander Golovin, Alexandre Benois, Simon Virsaladze and Fyodor Fyodorovsky among countless others.
The repertoire of Mariinsky II aims to demonstrate the supreme art of the performers in our companies and our wonderful stage, linking the history of the Mariinsky Theatre with contemporary audiences and with contemporary works from the diverse genres of opera, ballet and symphonic music.
The artistic opportunities available to the whole theatre – the opera and ballet companies, chorus and orchestra – will expand exponentially. After all, the Mariinsky II, the historic building and the Concert Hall together form a unique cultural complex. The new building with its main stage equipped with the very latest technology, and its three chamber venues, will create the most amazing conditions in which to bring to life daring artistic ideas and educational projects as well as chamber vocal and instrumental programmes.