Mariinsky Theatre facts for kids
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Mariinsky Theatre, August 2022
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| Address | 1 Theatre Square Saint Petersburg Russia |
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| Coordinates | 59°55′32″N 30°17′46″E / 59.92556°N 30.29611°E |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 2 October 1860 |
| Years active | 1860–present |
| Architect | Alberto Cavos |
| Tenants | |
| Mariinsky Ballet Mariinsky Opera Mariinsky Orchestra |
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The Mariinsky Theatre (Russian: Мариинский театр, tr. Mariinskiy teatr) is a famous opera house in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It first opened its doors in 1860. This theatre quickly became the most important music stage in Russia during the late 1800s.
Many famous operas and ballets were first performed here. These include works by great composers like Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov. For much of the Soviet era, it was known as the Kirov Theatre. Today, the Mariinsky Theatre is home to the Mariinsky Ballet, Mariinsky Opera, and the Mariinsky Orchestra. The famous conductor Valery Gergiev has been in charge of the theatre since 1988.
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Why the Mariinsky Theatre Changed Names
The theatre is named after Empress Maria Alexandrovna. She was the wife of Tsar Alexander II. You can even see a statue of the Empress inside the theatre's main entrance.
The theatre's name has changed several times over the years. These changes often showed what was happening in Russia's politics at the time:
- 1860 – 1920: Imperial Mariinsky Theatre (Russian: Императорский Мариинский театр)
- 1920 – 1924: State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (Russian: Государственный академический театр оперы и балета)
- 1924 – 1935: Leningrad State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (Russian: Ленинградский государственный академический театр оперы и балета)
- 1935 – 1992: Kirov State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (Russian: Государственный академический театр оперы и балета имени С. М. Кирова). This name honored Sergei Kirov, a political leader.
- 1992 – present: State Academic Mariinsky Theatre (Russian: Государственный aкадемический Мариинский театр)
Even though the building is called the Mariinsky Theatre, its ballet and opera groups sometimes still use the "Kirov" name. This helps people recognize them around the world.
How the Mariinsky Theatre Began
The first official drama, opera, and ballet group in Saint Petersburg started in 1783. This happened because Catherine the Great wanted it. Before that, Italian ballet groups had performed for the Russian royal family since the early 1700s.
A permanent theatre building was designed for these artists by Antonio Rinaldi. It opened in 1783. This building was called the Imperial Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre. It was on Carousel Square, which was later renamed Theatre Square because of the theatre. "Kamenny" means "stone" and "Bolshoi" means "big" in Russian.
In 1836, the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre was updated by Albert Cavos. It became the main theatre for the Imperial Ballet and opera. Later, in 1849, a horse circus building opened on Theatre Square. This building, also designed by Cavos, could also be used as a theatre.
Famous Performances and Artists
The Mariinsky Theatre and its earlier building, the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre, were where many famous operas first appeared. These included works by Mikhail Glinka, Modest Mussorgsky, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. In 1886, the Imperial Ballet (which moved to the Mariinsky in 1870) and the Imperial Opera moved to the Mariinsky Theatre. This was because the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre was thought to be unsafe.
Other important first performances at the Mariinsky include:
- Mussorgsky's opera Boris Godunov in 1874.
- Tchaikovsky's operas The Queen of Spades in 1890 and Iolanta in 1892.
- The updated version of Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet in 1940.
- Khachaturian's ballet Spartacus in 1956.
Many famous conductors and performers worked at this theatre over the years.
Conductors:
- Mikhail Zhukov (1932–35)
Ballet Dancers: The Mariinsky Theatre's ballet school has trained many world-famous dancers. Some of these include:
- Anna Pavlova
- Vaslav Nijinsky
- George Balanchine
- Galina Ulanova
- Rudolf Nureyev
- Mikhail Baryshnikov
- Diana Vishneva
- Svetlana Zakharova
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The Mariinsky Theatre Today
Under Yuri Temirkanov, who was the main conductor from 1976 to 1988, the Opera Company kept putting on new and classic Russian operas. In 2022, one of the theatre's conductors, Gavriel Heine, left his job.
Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall
A new Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall opened in 2007. It was designed by a French architect named Xavier Fabre. It is located close to the main theatre.
Mariinsky Theatre Second Stage
A new building, called the Second Stage, was designed by a Canadian company. It has 1,830 seats and works alongside the original Mariinsky Theatre. Building started in 2003, but the design was changed in 2009. The goal was to make Saint Petersburg have a theatre complex like New York City's Lincoln Center. The Second Stage was finished in May 2013.
The Mariinsky Record Label
In 2009, the Mariinsky Theatre started its own record label. This means they record and release their own music performances.
Some of the music they have released includes:
- Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No 3, played by Denis Matsuev, conducted by Valery Gergiev.
- Shchedrin: The Enchanted Wanderer, conducted by Valery Gergiev.
- Shostakovich: The Nose, conducted by Valery Gergiev.
- Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture, Moscow Cantata, Marche Slave, conducted by Valery Gergiev.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Mariinski para niños
