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On 16 December the celebrated living classic composer and great friend of the Mariinsky Theatre, Rodion Shchedrin, commemorates his 91^st birthday. In honor of this occasion December will see a diverse array of Shchedrin's compositions gracing the theatre's stages. Many of these works, long absent from the playbill, will make the upcoming events a precious gift for the composer's admirers.

At the heart of Rodion Shchedrin's vivid and distinctive operas and ballets is almost always his own libretto. Russian literary classics, reimagined by the composer's pen, consistently find an extraordinary expression in his musical compositions.

The celebratory program kicks off on 1 December with a concert performance of Boyarynya Morozova – a choral opera in two parts for four soloists, mixed choir, trumpet, timpani, and percussion. On 3 December, the auditorium will resonate with Not Love Alone – an opera woven from a vibrant tapestry of lively ditties, tinged with irony and bitterness.

5 December at Mariinsky-2 will feature the iconic opera The Lefthander about a self-taught genius – a score written by Shchedrin specifically for the opening of the new stage in 2013. Another operatic embodiment of Nikolai Leskov's creative legacy, the mesmerizing The Enchanted Wanderer in Alexei Stepanyuk's production, will be staged on 16 December.

On 14 December the New Stage will host the opera-fairytale A Christmas Tale, dedicated to Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre. December 17^th brings Dead Souls in a production by Vasily Barkhatov and Zinovy Margolin, while on 15 and 16 December the same stage presents the Anna Karenina poignant ballet drama, based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy. The list of events will continue to be updated. For publication photos, please follow the link.

On 8 and 9 December (at 12:00 and 19:00) on the historic stage the audiences will experience Anton Chekhov's short story "Anna on the Neck" in a choreographic interpretation crafted by Vladimir Vasiliev.

The unique biography of Anuta began not on the stage but on television, a rare case of a ballet transitioning from screen to stage. The telefilm’s originator, Leningrad director and screenwriter Alexander Belinsky, who already had television ballets like Galatea, Gigolo and Gigolletta, and Old Tango to his name, found in Anuta a future success and public acclaim.

Struck by the romantic waltz of another Leningrader, Valery Gavrilin, Belinsky was inspired to create a film based on Chekhov's Anna on the Neck. The ballet score, assembled from various compositions by Gavrilin and orchestrated by conductor Stanislav Gorkovenko, perfectly captured the Chekhovian tones: the landscape of a provincial town, the ball's festivity, the mundane bourgeois life, the characters' inner turmoil, and the inevitable bitterness of the finale. Belinsky invited renowned dancer and People's Artist of the USSR, Vladimir Vasiliev, to choreograph the telefilm. Vasiliev also co-directed and portrayed Anuta's father, Pyotr Leontyevich.

The ballet film premiered in 1982 featuring the inimitable ballerina Ekaterina Maximova in the title role. Her natural, delicate, and precise performance, coupled with a nuanced dramatic talent, created a vivid, multi-dimensional character, capturing the hearts of millions. The film caught the attention of the director of Naples' San Carlo Theatre, who proposed Vasiliev transfer the teleballet to the theatrical stage. The world premiere in Italy in 1986 met with thunderous success.

Adapting Anuta from screen to stage required extensive work: new scenes and characters emerged, and additional music was added. Yet, the essence of Anuta as a teleballet remained: mere excellence in choreography was insufficient; artists needed to possess unique dramatic talent and employ the full spectrum of their acting skills.

Following its Italian premiere, Anuta was introduced to the Moscow audience and then began its triumphant procession across Russian and international stages, spanning nearly four decades. Today, more than a dozen Russian cities boast their own Anuta in their repertoire, from Chelyabinsk to Yoshkar-Ola, from Novosibirsk to Voronezh.

"It's remarkable that even today this ballet continues to be in demand, allowing the audience to empathize with the fates of Chekhov's characters. Anuta lives on, acquiring new hues with each generation of performers. It seems important to me that ballet artists have the opportunity to connect with Chekhov and Gavrilin on stage, to feel and convey to the audience the wonderfully subtle sense of goodness and beauty inherent in these authors," notes Vladimir Vasiliev.

From 16 to 18 November the Northern Capital will host a grand event – the IX St Petersburg International Cultural Forum. The Mariinsky Theatre stages will feature special performances during the forum: the premiere of the Lakmé opera, guest performances by the Samara Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after D. D. Shostakovich, shows by the Mariinsky Theatre branches in Vladivostok and Vladikavkaz, and other performances.

The series of events aligned with the Cultural Forum will commence on 16 November. The New Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre will witness a vibrant opera premiere – Lakmé by Léo Delibes, directed by Sergei Novikov. Sergey has shifted the setting from late 19^th century British India to a contemporary metropolis – a melting pot of diverse cultures. The production is a collaborative effort with the Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre named after D. A. Hvorostovsky. Key roles will be performed by Aigul Khismatullina, Boris Stepanov, Maharram Huseynov, Yulia Suleimanova, Anna Kiknadze, Egor Chubakov, and others.

The next day – 17 November – will see the staging of Sergey Slonimsky's The Master and Margarita opera directed by Yuri Alexandrov at the New Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. This production, recently premiered at the Samara Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after D. D. Shostakovich, marks the first full-scale staging of this opera in Russia. The Samara troupe will present this production for the first time at the Mariinsky.

Additionally, the Mariinsky Theatre will showcase a variety of pieces from its branches as part of the IX St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum. On 18 November at 11:30 the Historic Stage will host the Perfume: The Story of a Love ballet by the Mariinsky Theatre branch in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, featuring music by contemporary composers and choreographed by Valery Suanov. The Primorsky troupe of the Mariinsky Theatre will perform Leoncavallo's Pagliacci opera directed by Marat Gatsalov at 16:00 on the same day. The upcoming Kemerovo branch of the Mariinsky Theatre will be represented by a concert of the Governor's Symphony Orchestra of Kuzbass under the baton of Tao Lin on 17 November. The evening's program includes Schubert's Sixth Symphony, Shostakovich's Second Suite for Jazz Orchestra, and Tchaikovsky's Slavonic March.

The series of special events will culminate with one of the most striking and extensive premieres of the previous season – Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, directed by Konstantin Balakin and vividly designed by Elena Vershinina. On 18 November the lead roles will be performed by Irina Churilova, Yaroslav Petryanik, Yevgeny Nikitin, and Gleb Peryazev, conducted by Valery Gergiev.

On 16 November the New Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre is set to host a vibrant opera premiere – Lakmé by Delibes, directed by Sergei Novikov. The performance is a part of the IX St Petersburg International Cultural Forum, featuring leading roles by Aigul Khismatullina, Boris Stepanov, Egor Chubakov, and Maharram Huseynov.

This composition first graced the stage of the Parisian Théâtre de l'Opéra-Comique 140 years ago, with its Mariinsky premiere following just a year later in 1884. The renowned European composer Léo Delibes crafted this opera on commission, at a time when oriental themes were highly fashionable in the arts. Beyond the exotic portrayal of an unfamiliar culture, they often included the tragic narrative of impossible love between individuals from two different worlds.

The story of the feelings between a Brahmin's daughter and a British officer was warmly received by audiences. However, today, the title Lakmé is less widely recognized. Although it features in the repertoires of leading theatres worldwide, it is performed less frequently than in the past. Until the 2022 Krasnoyarsk premiere this opera had only been presented in Russia in a semi-staged version at the Mariinsky Theatre.

Audiences will soon witness a new full-scale production created in collaboration with the Krasnoyarsk D. A. Khvorostovsky State Opera and Ballet Theatre. Director Sergei Novikov has relocated the setting from late 19^th-century British India to a contemporary metropolis – a hub where diverse cultures intersect and interact. Today, the composition is seen not just as an exotic love story but as an important lesson in respecting each other's traditions and cultures.

"Our production departs from the original setting and time period but also narrates the clash between Western and Eastern mentalities. Today, this boundary between hemispheres doesn't just run along a meridian but exists in every metropolis where nationalities, ethnicities, and beliefs intertwine," notes Sergei Novikov.

Valery Gergiev is the musical director of the production. The artistic team includes set and costume designer Maria Vysotskaya, lighting designer Ruslan Mayorov, and video designer Dmitry Ivanchenko.

On 5 November within the grandeur of Zhuhai's opera theatre, the Mariinsky Theatre's majestic Chinese tour culminated with the final performance of Swan Lake. Almost a month since 10 October, the ballet troupe graced four Chinese cities with seventeen spellbinding performances.

Residents of Beijing, Nanjing, Taiyuan, and Zhuhai were enchanted by the golden treasures of global ballet heritage, experiencing Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Minkus's Don Quixote. Leading roles were embodied by the Mariinsky Ballet’s principal artists Vladimir Shklyarov, Timur Askerov, Nadezhda Batoeva, Oxana Skorik, Renata Shakirova, Konstantin Zverev, Philipp Stepin, Maria Khoreva, and Nikita Korneev, with Arseny Shuplyakov conducting.

"These Chinese tours have been long-awaited by the troupe. We haven't set foot in the Celestial Empire since 2019. Much has changed during this time; cities have flourished, but most importantly, ballet enthusiasts in China have grown in number and ardour! This tour has added the previously unvisited Taiyuan, where classical ballet had not yet toured, and Zhuhai – a southern province where the reception was not just warm – it was fervently enthusiastic. The vast crowds of fans waiting for the artists at the stage door after the performances are a testament to this. We conclude the tour with a touch of melancholy and the hope of an imminent reunion with the adored audience!" shares Yuri Fateev, Acting Director of the Mariinsky Ballet.

This tour also marked a special occasion for the emerging generation of ballet artists. On 28 October at the request of the Grand Theatre of Shanxi (Taiyuan), a masterclass was held for children from ballet schools in the province. Ballet mistress Elena Androsova and pianist Dmitry Sarytsyn led the class with premier dancers Vladimir Shklyarov and soloist Maria Khoreva offering their keen observation.

It is noteworthy that the recent tour in China is the largest in the history of the Mariinsky Theatre: the ballet and opera companies, choir, and symphony orchestra performed in six cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Harbin, Taiyuan, and Zhuhai. On 20 and 22 October, the Shanghai Grand Theatre hosted the premiere of new stage versions of the third (Siegfried) and fourth (Götterdämmerung) parts of Wagner's monumental tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen. Moreover, on 25 October the Mariinsky Orchestra, under the baton of Valery Gergiev, ceremoniously opened the new hall of Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts.

With profound grief, we mark the departure of Maestro Yuri Khatuevich Temirkanov. His loss is an immeasurable void in the hearts of our ensemble, privileged to have known and worked alongside him, and a profound sorrow in the cultural tapestry of our world.

A maestro of genius, a pedagogue of unparalleled talent, and a fervent cultural advocate, Yuri Khatuevich dedicated his life's work to the pursuit of musical excellence. His unwavering commitment and boundless creative vigour have ascended the stature of our national arts to unprecedented heights.

At the helm of the world's most esteemed orchestras, his warmth and respect were reciprocated in full measure by the musicians under his direction and the audiences enraptured by his artistic vision. Beyond the countless prestigious accolades that adorned his career, the most treasured was the affection and admiration he received from those who experienced his artistry.

The Mariinsky Theatre is profoundly honoured to enshrine the legacy of Yuri Khatuevich Temirkanov. His tenure as the artistic director and principal conductor of the Kirov Theatre catalysed a renaissance of remarkable scale and impact. His cultural imprint is our guiding beacon, and his artistic heritage continues to adorn our institution with grace and splendour.

Yuri Khatuevich’s spirit will eternally dwell in the sanctuary of our memories. As we navigate through the sombre days of mourning, may we find solace in the cherished recollections of his illustrious life and legacy.

With deepest sympathy,
Valery Gergiev, and the entire Mariinsky Theatre Ensemble

On 29 October 2023, Harbin's concert stage bore witness to the resounding finale of the Mariinsky Theatre's symphonic program under the baton of Valery Gergiev, marking the grand culmination of their most extensive and enduring tour across China to date.

The illustrious ensemble and maestro graced four cities in the Celestial Empire, delivering a series of nine symphonic concerts, one of which ceremoniously inaugurated the new concert hall at National Centre for Performing Arts, nestled in the largest park in the eastern expanse of China's capital.

The concluding concert in Harbin featured stirring excerpts from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, Shostakovich's Sixth Symphony, and Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony. Prior to this closing event, Valery Gergiev led an open rehearsal with the Harbin Symphony Orchestra, culminating in an invitation for several of its musicians to join the Mariinsky Orchestra for a collaborative performance of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony.

"We have been collaborating closely with our friends from China for many years. Covid disrupted this partnership for almost four years, and we are now vigorously resuming our joint projects," emphasises Valery Gergiev.

Today, 30 October 2023 the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra and Valery Gergiev will perform in Vladivostok with a program titled 'Prokofiev Gala'. The concert will feature excerpts from Romeo and Juliet, the cantata Alexander Nevsky, and the great Russian composer's Fifth Symphony. The soloist is the grand prize winner, recipient of the first prize and the gold medal of the XVII International Tchaikovsky Competition, mezzo-soprano Zinaida Tsarenko.

On 31 October 2023 under the direction of Valery Gergiev, the Mariinsky Theatre's Primorsky Stage will host the season's first premiere – Prokofiev's opera The Love for Three Oranges, directed by Alexander Petrov and designed by Vyacheslav Okunev.

Recalling earlier events, the opera segment of the Mariinsky Theatre's tour concluded in Shanghai: from 16 to 22 October the audience was treated to the complete presentation of Wagner's monumental tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen. The Chinese spectators were the first to experience new stage versions of the third (Siegfried) and fourth (Götterdämmerung) instalments of the famed epic.

The St Petersburg ballet troupe of the Mariinsky Theatre continues its extensive series of performances in China. The company is currently en route to Zhuhai – the final destination of the current tour. On 2 November, at the famed shell-shaped theatre, the artists will perform Minkus's Don Quixote, and from 3-5 November, the tour will elegantly conclude with a series of Swan Lake performances by Tchaikovsky, conducted by Arsenty Shuplyakov.

Concurrently, on 2 and 3 November, the ballet company of the Mariinsky Theatre's Primorsky Stage will grace the stage of the Harbin Grand Theatre, accompanied by the Harbin Symphony Orchestra. The troupe will present Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty, choreographed by the company's artistic director Eldar Aliev, with the renowned Chinese conductor Muhai Tang wielding the baton.

On 25 October, under the baton of Valery Gergiev, the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra grandly inaugurated the new hall of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, situated in the largest park in the eastern district of Tongzhou.

"This is a very fine new venue. I've just congratulated our Chinese friends in an interview on such an achievement. The idea to create a hall not in the centre of Beijing but for the millions of music lovers is brilliant. Nearby, they will soon open opera and drama theatres, a museum, and a vast library. This is precisely what will shortly happen in St Petersburg. We and our friends from China are engaged in creative tasks as well as in expanding the capabilities of our extensive venues: this is what unites us!" remarked Valery Gergiev.

The concert commenced with the Chinese piece We walk on the broad way arranged by Cai Dongzhen. The evening's program also featured Glinka's overture to the opera Ruslan and Lyudmila, Debussy's L'Après-midi d'un faune, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, music from Stravinsky's ballet The Firebird, and the third aria of Delilah from Saint-Saëns' opera Samson et Dalila, performed by Zinaida Tsarenko – the grand prize winner, first prize recipient, and gold medalist of the XVII International Tchaikovsky Competition.

This concert marked the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra's final performance in Beijing during the current Chinese tour – with the ensemble set to perform in Nanjing on 26 and 27 October. The symphonic program of the Mariinsky Theatre's Chinese tour will conclude with a concert on 29 October in Harbin.

On 17 October, the Shanghai Center for Eastern Art hosted the inaugural concert of the symphonic program of the Mariinsky Theatre's tour in China. The evening showcased Sergei Prokofiev's First and Fifth Symphonies, as well as excerpts from the Romeo and Juliet ballet. These pieces were performed by the Mariinsky Orchestra, directed by Valery Gergiev.

From 17 to 29 October, nine concerts are scheduled across four Chinese cities. The illustrious team and maestro will present audiences with excerpts from renowned ballets and operas, and symphonies from both Russian and international composers. "Our program is incredibly diverse. While Russian composers dominate our selection, we will also feature esteemed creators from the European countries, including French, Austrian and German, and Italian maestros," remarked Valery Gergiev.

Shanghai will host concerts on 17, 19, and 21 October, with the latter being an open-air event. From 23 to 25 October performances move to Beijing. The third Beijing performance by the Mariinsky Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev, will grandly open the new hall of Beijing's National Center for Performing Arts. The orchestra will then perform at the Jiangsu Performing Arts Center in Nanjing on 26 and 27 October. The series of symphonic concerts wraps up in Harbin on 29 October.

Highlighting the scale of this tour, it's structured in three segments, each representing a pivotal genre of musical theatre. From 10 October to 5 November the Mariinsky will acquaint audiences in six Chinese cities with landmark pieces from ballet, opera, and symphonic music.