The Mariinsky Theatre (Russian: Мариинский театр, also spelled Maryinsky Theatre) was opened in 1860 and so began a war between it and the Bolshoi in Moscow for which is Russia's pre-eminent opera and ballet theatre. Both theatres claim to have staged the first production of Swan Lake, but the Mariinsky definitely premiered some important works by Tchikovsky, Glinka, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov, and it also premiered many of Petipa's choreographic masterpieces, including The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. The theatre is home to the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Companies and the Mariiansky Orchestra, nee Kirov, and has been the home theatre of many great performers including Anna Pavlova, Rudolph Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Vaslav Nijinsky and Natalia Makarova.

The theatre's name comes from Empress Maria Alexandrovna whose bust is in the foyer as a reminder.

Mariinsky Theatre Website.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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