The ballet is an essential part of St. Petersburg’s culture. For years,
it was one of the most popular forms of entertainment, where nobility
and even the imperial family gathered to appreciate the art. Prima
ballerinas were like superstars, with fans throwing flowers at their feet
and desperately falling in love. Now, the tradition carries on, bringing
the highest quality of ballet to audiences from around the world.
WHY SEE THE BALLET
St. Petersburg is ultimately the cradle of the Russian
ballet tradition. Back in 1738, a French choreographer,
Jean-Baptiste Landé, started the first ballet school in
Russia. Rooms were dedicated in the Winter Palace for
the training of 12 young boys and girls, the first ballet
students of Landé. Soon, the French teacher formed
his first ballet troupe, sponsored by the government.
Throughout the 19th century, ballet reached new heights,
and ballet stars were recognized for their talents. More
ballets were choreographed by the best teachers from
around the world, and visiting the theatre to see a ballet
gradually became an important social occasion.
WHAT TO CHOOSE
Now we can benefit from the great history of Russian ballet
with a variety of shows from which to choose. For the
audience getting their first taste of ballet, a good choice
would be a classical Russian ballet, such as Swan Lake or The
Nutcracker, both composed by prominent Russian composer
Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The latter is a Christmas-themed one
that is a very popular choice during the winter season.
There are also a number of ballets based on literature, such
as Shakespeare’s love story of Romeo and Juliet, composed
by Sergei Prokofiev, or Don Quixote, with music composed
by Ludwig Minkus. A fairly recent addition to the literary
repertoire is the ballet Anna Karenina based on the novel
by Leo Tolstoy. Other prominent Russian ballets include
La Sylphide and Giselle. Of course, the final choice depends on
the theatre’s program at the time, as not all ballets are on
show simultaneously.
WHERE TO GO IN ST. PETERSBURG
The king of all theatres in St. Petersburg is the Mariinsky
Theatre, preserving the grandeur of the imperial times.
The first shows premiered here in the 19th century, and
now restored, the theatre remains operational today and
is regarded as the best in the city. A smaller, yet historical
stage is The Hermitage Theatre, located in the complex
of the Winter Palace, a former imperial residence. This
theatre used to host private parties for the nobility, closely
connected to the monarch. Now it is open to a wider
audience, but due to its smaller size, the room has an
intimate feeling. Other notable ballet theatres include
the Mikhailovsky and Aleksandrinsky Theatres. While the
latter is better known as a drama theatre, it does have
ballets in its repertoire.
WHEN IS THE BEST SEASON
The most popular time for ballet in St. Petersburg is
the “White Nights” season, which is also a favorite time
to travel to Russia because of the long-lasting daylight
that makes it feel like the night never comes. It’s the
perfect season to go to the theatre. During this period,
there is usually a great selection of shows featuring
famous artists. Winter is also an ideal time to visit,
especially around the holidays when there are special
Christmas-themed shows on, setting the holiday
mood; they are a good choice for children, too.
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Anastasiia Ilina is a writer and contributor to Culture Trip.
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