Theatres and Concert Halls

Mariinsky Opera House
The opera and ballet companies are famous the world over. The Marinsky Theatre was and remains the center of traditional St Petersburg culture, with its leanings towards artistic and aesthetic universalism. The theatre has always imbibed the spiritual heritage of Russian and Western culture. Its repertoire includes many works from the 'golden treasury' of classical opera. Recently, Mariinsky Theatre, the first in the country, embarked on co-productions with the world's top opera companies - Covent Garden, Opera de National de Paris Bastille, La Scala, La Fenice, Opera der Bundesstadt Bonn, New Israeli Opera and San Francisco Opera. Such fruitful collaborations have enriched the repertoire with works like War and Peace, The Fiery Angel , Katerina Izmailova, The Gambler, Otello, Ruslan and Lyudmila and Madama Batterfly. The Mariinsky Theatre crosses the entire globe on the cours of its international tours. Equally importantly, the theatre provides the world's leading artists with the opportunity to perform in St Petersburg with its own company. A recent example was famous tenor Placido Domingo, who sang in the Mariinsky Theatre productions of Othello, Parsifal and Die Walkure. Some of the world's top stage directors have worked with the Mariinsky Theatre, among them Erico Vigie (France), Tony Palmer and Elijah Moshinsky, Giancarlo Del Monaco, Julie Taymore, David Freeman, Marta Domingo and the conductors Justus Franz, Esa-Pecca Salonen, Arvid Jhansons, Christoph Eschenbach and Janandrea Noseda.The repertoire includes classics such as Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin" and "Swan Lake" and works by Mozart, Verdi and Rossini. Other popular productions are Massenet's ballet "Manon" and the operas "Don Juan" by Mozart, "War and Peace" by Prokofiev and Wagner's "Das Rheingold". The latest premieres are Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann", "The Tale of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maid Fevronia" by Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" (with scenery by Mikhail Shemyakin), Puccini's "La Boheme" and Verdi's "Macbeth". The season opens on 5 October. Upcoming: new production - the opera "La Traviata" (Oct 21). 1/2 Teatralnaya Pl. T: 114 4344.

Alexandrinsky Theatre
Once Russia's leading theatre, a symbol of academe in its most direct sense. This, the oldest drama theatre in Russia, was founded by decree of the Empress Elizabeth in 1756. The majority of Russian classical dramas had their first performances there. Recent popular productions include: "Don Juan" by Moliere, Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion", "Ornithology" by A. Stroganov and "The Mistress of the Inn" by Carlo Goldoni. The new season opens on 29 September with the first performance of a new production of "The Cherry Orchard". 2 Pl. Ostrovskogo. T: 312 1545.

Mussorgsky Opera House
St. Petersburg's second largest musical stage, whose repertoire includes world classics of opera and ballet. Among the works in the programme are Borodin's "Prince Igor", Verdi's "La Traviata" and "Requiem", Rossini's "The Barber of Seville", Bizet's "Carmen", Verdi's "Otello". The season opens on 28 September. 1 Pl. Iskusstv. T: 318 1947, 318 1949.

Tovstonogov Bolshoy Drama Theatre
One of Russia's leading drama theatres, with a varied repertoire from different genres, including Russian and world classics. Among the attractions are Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia", Strindberg's "The Father", "California Suite" by Neil Simon and Racine's play "Phaedre". The latest productions are "Talents and Admirers" and "Dear Pamela".

Akimov Comedy Theatre
This theatre owes its popularity to the artist and director Akimov. The repertoire includes works by many famous playwrights, including Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest", Ostrovsky's "After Dinner Comes the Reckoning" and W. Wycherley's "A Country Wife". The most recent productions are "Ladies and Hussars" by A. Fredro, "Dear Liar" by J. Kilty and "I Want to be in Pictures!" by Neil Simon. 56 Nevsky Pr. T: 312 4555.

Lensoviet Theatre
The repertoire is a combination of classical and contemporary. The most popular productions are: "Jack and his Master" by Milan Kundera, Alan Ayckbourn's "Door to the Adjoining Room", Mayakovsky's "The Bedbug", Ostrovsky's "In a Busy Place", "Fro" by Platonov and "Caligula" by Albert Camus. The latest premieres include Tolstoy's "Karenin. Anna. Vronsky". 12 Vladimirsky Pr. T: 113 2191.

Komissarzhevskaya Drama Theatre
These days the theatre's repertoire features brilliant plays, which have become talking points for both critics and audiences: "Suicide of Lovers on the Island of Heavenly Nets" by M. Tikamatsu, "The Lady with the Camellias" by Alexandre Dumas, Shakespeare's "The Tempest", "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller and "Console my Sorrows" by S. Buranov. 19 Italyanskaya Ul. T: 311 0849.

Baltiysky Dom
Formerly known as the "Lenkom", the theatre's current repertoire consists mainly of new productions for the youth: "The Innocent Victims" by Ostrovsky and "Milashka" by M. Gavrilova. The latest premieres are "Sisyphus and the Boulder", "School for Fools", "Cyrano de Bergerac", "Three friends" and Strindberg's play "Miss Julie". Upcoming: 11th "Baltiysky Dom" Festival (Oct 5-14). 4 Alexandrovsky Park. T: 232 3539.

Youth Theatre On The Fontanka
The theatre is constantly experimenting. The plays that generate the most interest are S. Mrozhek's "Tango", "A Glass of Water" by J. Scrib, "The Swallow" by Tolstoy, and "Day of the Turbins", based on Mikhail Bulgakov's novel. The latest premiere is Anouilh's "The Lark". 114 Nab. Reki Fontanki. T: 316 6870, 316 6564.

The Theatre On Liteyny
A popular chamber theatre. Among the best productions have been the ironic lyrical play "A City Romance", "The Poor" (a phantasmagoria based on themes from Gogol's work) and the "White Theatre" production "The Marriage of Gogol" by R. Smirnov. Recent premieres include "Capriccio" and "A Concert of Tormented Misprints" by Ilf and Petrov. The season opens on 14 September. 51 Liteyny Pr. T: 273 5335.

Mironov Russian Enterprise Theatre
A young theatre, which is fast gaining in popularity. Highly rated by audiences have been the plays "The Kreutzer Sonata" by L. Tolstoy, "Oblomov" by I. Goncharov, "The Road to Paradise", based on B. Lavrenev's story "The 41st", A. Sokolova's play "Faryatev's Fantasies". The latest premieres are "How he Lied to her Husband" by George Bernard Shaw and "Shipwreck" by Claudel. The season opens on 20 September. 75 Bolshoy Pr. P. S. T: 346 1670.

Satire Theatre On Vasilyevsky Ostrov
Stages both classical and contemporary plays: "The Marriage of Figaro", "Dangerous Liaisons" and others. The most recent productions are Ostrovsky's "The Last Victim" and a fairy-tale parody "Zaklikukhi" by S. Svirko. The latest premiere is "My Obsession", based on the play by Arbuzov. The season opens on 2 October. 48 Sredny Pr. V.O. T: 323 6683.

Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory Opera And Ballet House
Formerly the Conservatory's opera studio. N. Dolgushin's ballet productions are particularly popular - "The Nutcracker", "The Sleeping Beauty" and "Giselle". Also of interest are Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin" and "Swan Lake". 3 Teatralnaya Pl. T: 312 2519.

"St. Petersburg opera" chamber music theatre
The theatre stages operas by 18th to 20th century Russian and foreign composers. Performances take place on the city's finest stages, including the Hermitage Theatre, the Yusupov Palace and the Alexandrinsky Theatre. The company's latest productions are Offenbach's "La Belle Helene", Shostakovich's "Antiformalistic Rayok" and "Emrayin's Star", based on a short story by C. Aytmatov, opera by Chilea "Adrienna Lecouvrer". 33 Galernaya Ul. T: 315 6769.

Bolshoy Puppet Theatre
The programme is aimed at children from the ages of 3 to 16. Booking office open 10.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. daily (closed 3.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.). 10 Ul. Nekrasova. T: 272 8215, 273 6672.

Cannon Dance
Founded by Natalya and Vadim Kasparov in 1997 at the Trade Unions' Culture and Leisure Centre (formerly the First Five-Year Plan Palace of Culture). The school's main purpose is the popularisation and development of contemporary choreography in St. Petersburg and in Russia generally. The "Cannon Dance" professional jazz-modern dance group was formed at the school. In 2000 the "S'tantsia" Theatre opened on the premises: it has no resident company, but is available to any groups for performances. 34 Ul. Dekabristov. T: 114 2027.

Circus At Avtovo
Traditional circus performances and spectacles on specific themes. Shows start at 3.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. every day except Monday and Thursday. 1a Avtovskaya Ul. T: 183 1498, 184 6843.

Comedian's Theatre
A young company, well known both for their performances of classical plays (from tragedy to vaudeville) and of works by contemporary dramatists. The most popular productions include: Ostrovsky's "Wolves and Sheep", Gogol's "The Marriage", "Count Nulin" (based on Pushkin's poem) and a traditional minstrel-type show for children entitled "The Village Passed the Peasant By". The latest productions include "Passions Italian-style" by Eduardo de Filippo, "The Landlord's Arrogance or The Pansy" by F. Sologub and V. Nabokov's "The Potato Elf". The season opens on October. 44 Ligovsky Pr. T: 164 8014. F: 164 3032.

Dolphinarium
Marine show with dolphins. Shows on Wed-Thurs at 6.00 p.m., Fri at 4.00, 6.00 p.m. Sun at 12.00 noon, 2.00, 4.00, 6.00 p.m. 19 Konstantinovsky Pr. T: 235 4631.

Hermitage Theatre
The former court theatre of the Winter Palace. The programme for 2001 includes "Giselle" and gala performances by stars of the ballet, accompanied by the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. The season ends on 30 October. 34 Dvortsovaya Nab. T: 279 0226, 272 9682.

Maly Drama Theatre
The theatre programme traditionally includes plays produced by the theatre's chief director, Lev Dodin - "Play Without a Name", "The Possessed", "The Cherry Orchard", "Claustrophobia", "Brothers and Sisters", "Stars in the Morning Sky". This season's new production - "The Seagull". The season opens on 14 September. 18 Ul. Rubinshteyna. T: 113 2028.

Mimigrants' Clown-Mime Theatre
The theatre's bread and butter is clowning and pantomime incorporated into theatrical productions, both on stage and in street presentations. The theatre's repertoire includes a presentation "Charivari, or The Hole in the Curtain", "The Wonderful Lamp", "Nonsense in a Suitcase", "Piglet Knok". The latest productions are Becket's "The Voice" and Pinter's "The Caretaker". Block 2, 23 Rizhsky Pr. T: 251 6328.

Music-Hall
One of Europe's largest centres for the performance of light music (1364 seats), where the sumptuous productions of artistic director Ilya Rakhlin, the patriarch of Russian variety, play to full houses. The most popular are the musicals "A Crazy Century", "St. Petersburg Crescendo" and "Confession of Love". The latest premiere is the Saint-Petersburg opera "Masquerade". The season opens on 13 September with the play "Declaration of Love". Performances by the touring French Theatre de la Mezzanine (Sept 27-29). 4 Alexandrovsky Park. T: 232 1977. F: 232 5329.

Musical Comedy Theatre
The programme is of traditional operetta - from "Mr. X" and "The Queen of the Csardas" by Kalman and Lehar's "The Merry Widow" to musicals from the second half of the 20th century. Great interest has been aroused by a production "I Don't Know Any Other Country Like This (A Short History of the Russian Communist Party)". New productions are: "The Ball at the Savoy" by G. Abraham and "Fate is a Turkey", based on Ostrovsky's play "Wolves and Sheep". 13 Italyanskaya Ul. T: 313 4316.

North-West Russia Cossack Song And Dance Ensemble
Traditional concert programme: choir, ballet, orchestra and performances by this group that has won international competitions. Concerts start at 8.00 p.m. The concert season ends on October. 1 Pl. Pobedy (Concert Hall at "Pulkovskaya" Hotel). �i: 123 5179, 123 5117. F: 123 5824.

St. Petersburg state circus
Russia's first national circus. Its programme features equestrian shows, acrobats, tight-rope walkers, illusionists, clowns and trained animals. Also includes Museum of Circus Arts. Guided tours available. Season opens on 7 September with performances by winners of the national "Circus" award. The circus is open Wed-Sun. Performances start at 7.00 p.m. Wed, Thur, Fri and at 11.30 a.m., 3.00 p.m., 7.00 p.m. Sat and Sun. Booking office open: 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Museum open: Mon-Fri noon to 6.00 p.m. 3 Nab. Reki Fontanki. T: 314 8478, 313 4413 (to book guided tours).

Teatro Buffo
Musical entertainment programmes in the Mirror Room and the Buffo Plus Hall. "Buffo"-style cabarets for adults and children. Highlights of the repertoire are: a buffo comedy for adults "The Circus has Gone, but the Clowns Remain"; the musicals "Casanova in Russia" and "The Temptation of Zhanna" to music by E. Uspensky, and Oscar Wilde's "The Ideal Husband" staged by V. Firer. The latest production - "Unbounded Love" by I. Stokbant. 1 Narodnaya Ul. T: 446 6767.

The Comedian's Refuge
The programme includes: "The Dog's Waltz" by L. Andreyev, "The Eternal Husband" (based on Dostoevsky), "Old Clown Required" by M. Visnes, "Always Just a Woman" by D. Fo and D. Rame, "The Emigrants" by S. Mrozek and "These Free Butterflies" by L. Gersh. The latest productions are "Moscow - Petushki" by V. Yerofeyev, "Papa, papa, poor papa:" by A. Kopit and "Restless Tango" by Capek. The newest play is "Honey, I can't hear you when the bath is running!" by R. Anderson. 27 Sadovaya Ul. T: 310 3314.

Zazerkalye
Musical theatre for children, founded in 1987. Since then the theatre has staged 25 productions (mysteries, opera buffo, Russian farces, traditional folk shows and musicals). It regards itself as a Family Theatre; the majority of the repertoire is directed at adults as well as children. The theatre's latest premiere is Puccini's opera "La Boheme". The season opens on 22 September with "The Tale of the Nightingale, the Emperor and Death". 13 Ul. Rubinshteyna. T: 164 1895.

Concert Halls

Bosse's House
A comfortable Capella Chamber Hall, designed for performances by soloists, trios, quartets and other small chamber groups. Children's and folk music is also featured. 15 4th Line, V. O. T: 213 3488.

Carnival
Regular performances are given by children's choirs and orchestras, drama groups from St. Petersburg and beyond, jazz and rock groups. 39 Nevsky Pr. (Anichkov Palace). T: 310 9744.

Glazunov Concert Hall
The Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory's chamber hall, one of the most beatiful and historic halls in St. Petersburg. The decoration features original painting, mouldings, mirrors, crystal chandeliers and Viennese wooden chairs. The Glazunov Hall has an incomparable acoustic and successfully combines concert and teaching functions. The hall opened after extensive restoration work on May. 3 Teatralnaya Pl. �i: 311 5108, 311 0506. F: 311 6389.

Ice Palace
Built for the 2000 World Ice Hockey Championship, the palace is the most modern and technically equipped concert venue in Russia. Seating for 14,000 people, exceptional VIP boxes. Concerts by top stars, sporting contests and shows. Upcoming: Tom Jones concert (Sept 13). 1 Pr. Pyatiletok. T: 118 4117, 118 6312.

Lensoviet Palace Of Culture
One of the city's most popular concert halls. As well as concerts by stars of variety and rock music, performances by well-known Russian theatres are held here. Producers Peter Brooke and Peter Stein have staged plays here. 42 Kamennoostrovsky Pr. T: 346 0438.

Municipal Cultural Centre
The lounge of a famous palace, where performances are regularly given by the St. Petersburg City Symphony Orchestra under R. Martynov. Hall of Mirrors, Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace. 41 Nevsky Pr. T: 315 5236.

Oktyabrsky
A modern concert hall in the city centre, one of the largest in Russia. It features concerts by variety stars, rock festivals, and touring performances by musical theatre companies and great orchestras. 6 Ligovsky Pr. T: 275 1273.

St. Petersburg
Sports & Concert Complex. Sporting contests and shows. Concerts by top star. 8 Pr. Yuriya Gagarina. T: 264 1710, 298 2164.

The Philharmonia
St. Petersburg's leading concert hall, with wonderful acoustics. It has two resident orchestras, under the direction of Yury Temirkanov and Alexander Dmitriev and concerts are given by outstanding musicians from Russia and abroad. The season opens on 15 September. Upcoming: 10th International Organ Festival (from Sept 30). 2 Mikhailovskaya Ul. T: 110 4257, 311 7333.

The St. Petersburg Academic Capella
The comfortable old concert hall of the Imperial Capella near Palace Square. Music of various styles and ages - from baroque period to the 20th century - is performed by the Capella's choir and symphony orchestra. The season opens on 25 September. 4th International Early Music Festival (Sept 27-Oct 19). 20 Nab. Reki Moiki. T: 314 1058.

Ybileyny
Sporting Palace. Sporting contests and shows. Occasional concerts. 18 Dobrolyubova Pr. T: 119 5615.