Mariinsky Theatre

Mariinsky Theatre

The Mariinsky Theatre is a historic opera and ballet theatre located in the federal city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was known as the State Academic Theatre for Opera and Ballet from 1920 to 1935, as the Kirov Theatre from 1935 to 1992, and has been called the Mariinsky Theatre since 1992.

On January 29, 1849, a wooden, Neo-Byzantine circus building was constructed on Theatre Square in Saint Petersburg. This circus could also be expanded into a theatre. After the wooden structure burned down in 1859, a larger theatre was built on the same site, featuring the world’s largest stage at the time. The auditorium was arranged in a U-shape around the stage in the Italian style and could accommodate 1,625 spectators. On October 2, 1860, the theatre was established on the original site and named the Mariinsky Theatre after the then-Empress.

Since its founding, the Mariinsky Theatre has staged countless outstanding performances and enjoys worldwide acclaim. In addition, the theatre’s ballet school has trained a large number of world-renowned dancers, such as Mathilde Kschessinska, Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina, and Vaslav Nijinsky.

Mariinsky Theatre

Reason to visit: One of the most famous theatres in Saint Petersburg

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Russia[Russia]

Province/State: Saint Petersburg federal city [Saint Petersburg]

City: Saint Petersburg [Saint Petersburg]