Mariinsky Theatre
From festivals in Scandinavia to ballet performances by some of the world’s greatest production companies
St Petersburg & The Mariinsky
The opening of the new Mariinsky Theatre (Mariinsky II) starts a new chapter in the history of the renowned theatre. The origins of the company can be traced back to the era of Catherine the Great and through its development has hosted the premieres of Boris Gudunov, Romeo and Juliet and Iolanta, to name but a few.
The XXIII Mozart Festival in Warsaw
This year’s festival, from 20th June to 21st July, will be called “Mozart in the Royal Route” and the concerts, apart from the Chamber Opera, will take place in historical venues located along the Royal Route: Wilanow Palace, The Stanislaw August Theatre in Royal Lazienki Park, St. Cross Church and Seminar Church.
The Drottningholms Slottsteater festival in Stockholm
The small theatre, one of the world’s oldest, was built in 1766 at the request of Queen Lovisa Ulrika in the grounds of Stockholm’s royal palace and hosted performances of Gluck’s latest works, various opéras comiques, French classical dramas and pantomime ballets. Following the death of King Gustaf III, the theatre was closed until 1921 when it was rediscovered by the literary historian Agne Beijer and in 1991 was recognised by Unesco as a site of cultural heritage significance. The festival runs until 24th August.
Moscow & The Bolshoi
Renowned for being one of the best opera and ballet companies in the world, the Bolshoi reopened in 2011 after a six-year refurbishment, which has restored the original acoustics of the theatre at a cost of more than $500m. Production is split between operas, with the emphasis on Russian classics, and ballet, including Swan Lake, Giselle and the Nutcracker.
