On 5 October at 19:00, the new stage of the Mariinsky Theatre will host a magnificent gala concert in honor of the theatre's 240th anniversary. The festive evening will see performances by the luminaries of opera, ballet, and the Mariinsky Orchestra, all under the expert direction of maestro Valery Gergiev.
October 5th holds a special place in the Mariinsky's chronicles. On this day in 1783, the historic Grand (Stone) Theatre on Carousel Square was inaugurated, laying the foundation for the Mariinsky's illustrious journey. This new theatre, designed by Antonio Rinaldi, was a marvel of its time, boasting groundbreaking technical capabilities and leaving an indelible impression on both residents and visitors.
The Grand (Stone) Theatre quickly emerged as a pivotal hub of the capital's cultural life. Not only did it cater to the audiences (among which were many distinguished regulars, such as Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin), but it also paved the way for the formation of Russia's indigenous opera and ballet culture. Italian and French troupes performed here, along with vocal-instrumental concerts and even dramatic plays. This majestic theatre witnessed numerous world premieres, including Glinka's A Life for the Tsar and Ruslan and Lyudmila, Verdi's La forza del destino, Pugni's La Fille du Pharaon, Minkus's La Bayadère, and many other renowned opera and ballet performances that are still part of the theatre's repertoire today. The Mariinsky Theatre stands today as a grateful inheritor, preserving and amplifying its legacy: reviving forgotten compositions, introducing new luminaries to the world, and meticulously restoring opera and ballet masterpieces.
As time passed, certain performances by the Russian opera troupe were relocated to the so-called Theatre-Circus located opposite it, while the ballet troupe and Italian opera continued to perform at the Grand (Stone) Theatre. The city faced numerous challenges during that epoch, with fires proving to be the most devastating, destroying countless architectural masterpieces. Both the Grand (Stone) Theatre and Theatre-Circus suffered multiple fires and underwent reconstructions. In 1860, the Mariinsky Theatre was inaugurated on the site of the Theatre-Circus, a building we now recognize as the historic stage of the Mariinsky Theatre.
For over a quarter of a century, until 1886, performances continued at both the Grand (Stone) and Mariinsky theatres. Subsequently, ballet productions were permanently shifted to the Mariinsky stage, while the Grand (Stone) Theatre underwent reconstruction. Since then, its grounds have housed the St. Petersburg State Conservatory, nurturing those who will undoubtedly grace the grand stage across the street in the future.
Today, the Mariinsky Theatre is more than just its historic stage. It boasts modern, unique buildings in St Petersburg and two burgeoning branches in Vladivostok and Vladikavkaz. Mariinsky II, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, stands as the youngest and most impressive building within the Mariinsky Theatre complex. It is here that the grand celebration of the 240th anniversary will unfold.
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