State Academic Mariinsky Theatre: description, repertoire and reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The State Academic Mariinsky Theater has existed for more than two centuries. His repertoire includes classical and modern operas and ballets.

History of the theater

The Mariinsky State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater was opened in 1783. Over the years, such great artists as Fyodor Chaliapin, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Vatslav Nijinsky, Nikolai Figner, Matilda Kshesinskaya, Ivan Ershov, Rudolf Nureyev, Anna Pavlova and many others served here. The repertoire included not only ballets, operas and concerts, but also dramatic performances.

The theater building was designed by architect Antonio Rinaldi. In the 19th century it underwent reconstruction. The architect and draftsman Thomas de Thomon carried out a major reconstruction of the Mariinsky Theater. In 1818, the theater was seriously damaged by fire and was refurbished.

Three troupes performed on his stage then: Russian, Italian and French.

In 1936 the auditorium was rebuilt to achieve better acoustics and visibility. In 1859, the building burned down, and in its place wasa new one was built, in which the academic Mariinsky Theater is still located. It was designed by Alberto Cavos. The theater got its name in honor of Empress Maria - wife of Alexander II.

In 1869, the great Marius Petipa headed the ballet troupe.

In 1885, the theater had to undergo another reconstruction. A three-story extension was made to the left wing of the building, which housed workshops, rehearsal rooms, a boiler room and a power plant. After another 10 years, the foyer was expanded and the main facade was rebuilt.

In 1917, the Mariinsky Theater received the status of a state theater, in 1920 - an academic one, and in 1935 it was named after S. M. Kirov.

In those years, in addition to classical works, the repertoire included operas and ballets by Soviet composers.

In the post-war years, the theater presented the audience with such performances: "The Legend of Love", "Spartacus", "Stone Flower", "Twelve", "Leningrad Symphony". In addition to G. Verdi, P. I. Tchaikovsky, J. Bizet, M. Mussorgsky, N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov's repertoire included works by such composers as Dmitry Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Tikhon Khrennikov, and so on.

In 1968-1970 the theater was reconstructed again. The project of the renovated building was developed by the architect Salome Gelfer. After this reconstruction, the theater became the way we see it now.

In the 80s, a new generation of opera artists came to the Mariinsky Theater. They brightly declared themselves in the productions of The Queen of Spades and Eugene Onegin. The director of these performances was Yuri Temirkanov.

In 1988 onthe post of chief conductor was appointed Valery Gergiev, who soon became artistic director. Thanks to his efforts, in 1992 the theater again became known as the Mariinsky.

Mariinsky-2 was opened a few years ago. The technical equipment of its stage allows you to create modern innovative productions that you could only dream of before. This unique complex will make it possible to implement the most daring projects. Hall "Mariinsky-2" is designed for 2000 spectators. The total area of the building is almost 80 thousand square meters.

Opera repertoire

The Academic Mariinsky Theater offers its audience the following opera performances:

• "Idomeneo, King of Crete";
• "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District";
• "The night before Christmas";
• "Pelleas and Mélisande";
• "Mermaid";
• "Sister Angelica";
• "Khovanshchina";
• "Spanish Hour";
• "Flying Dutchman";
• "Betrothal in a monastery";
• "Turn the screw";
• "The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh";
• "Tristan and Isolde";
• "Lohengrin";
• "The Enchanted Wanderer";
• "Journey to Reims";
• "Trojans";
• "Electra".

And others.

Ballet repertoire

The Academic Mariinsky Theater has included the following ballet performances in its repertoire:

• "Apollo";
• "In the jungle";
• "Jewels";
• "Humpbacked Horse";
• "Magic Nut";
• "Leningrad Symphony";
• "Five Tango";
• "The young lady and the bully";
• "Sylph";
• "Infra";
• "Shurale";
• "Margarita and Arman";
• "Where golden cherries hang";
• "Flora Awakening";
• "Adagio Hammerklavier";
• "Clay";
• "Romeo and Juliet";
• "Symphony in three movements".

And others.

Troup

The Academic Mariinsky Theater brought together wonderful opera soloists, ballet dancers, choir, and musicians on its stage. A huge team works here.

The Mariinsky Theater Company:

• Irina Gordey;
• Maria Maksakova;
• Mikhail Vekua;
• Vasily Gerello;
• Diana Vishneva;
• Anton Korsakov;
• Alexandra Iosifidi;
• Elena Bazhenova;
• Ilya Zhivoy;
• Anna Netrebko;
• Irina Bogacheva;
• Dmitry Voropaev;
• Evgeny Ulanov;
• Ildar Abdrazakov;
• Vladimir Felyauer;
• Ulyana Lopatkina;
• Irina Golub;
• Maxim Zyuzin;
• Andrey Yakovlev;
• Victoria Krasnokutskaya;
• Danila Korsuntsev.

And many more.

Reviews

The State Academic Mariinsky Theater receives both positive and negative feedback from the audience. Someone leaves it disappointed, and someone is completely delighted. Praise is awarded to the scenery for performances, according to the public, they are beautiful, bright and spectacular. Viewers have different opinions about the performances. Basically, everyone writes that classical performances are simply magnificent. As for the performances in a new reading and modern vision, the audience calls them terrible, vulgar, etc. They urge not to distort the classics. Artists are also receiving varying responses from the public, both positive and negative.

Seaside Stage

The State Academic Mariinsky Theater (Vladivostok) is one of the youngest in our country. Its opening took place in 2012. It is a branch of the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre. The Vladivostok Opera was built using the most modern technologies. The theater has three halls - Big, Small and Summer. The first of them shows opera and ballet performances, as well as major concerts. Creative meetings and evenings, performances for children are held in the Small Hall. The summer area is used for outdoor events during the warm season. Big hallseats 1356 spectators, Maly - 312. The repertoire of the theater includes classical operas and ballets, symphony concerts, musical performances for children.