Mariinsky Theater history of creation architecture. Mariinsky Theater: history of creation

One of the oldest and leading musical theaters in Russia. The history of the theater dates back to 1783, when the Stone Theater was opened, in which drama, opera and ballet troupes performed. Department of opera (singers P.V. Zlov, A.M. Krutitsky, E.S. Sandunova, etc.) and ballet (dancers E.I. Andreyanova, I.I. Valberkh (Lesogorov), A.P. Glushkovsky, A.I. Istomina, E.I. Kolosova, etc.) troupes from the dramatic occurred in 1803. Foreign operas were performed on stage, as well as the first works of Russian composers. In 1836, the opera “A Life for the Tsar” by M.I. Glinka was staged, which opened the classical period of Russian opera. Outstanding Russian singers O.A. Petrov, A.Ya. Petrova, as well as M.M. Stepanova, E.A. Semyonova, S.S. Gulak-Artemovsky sang in the opera troupe. In the 1840s. The Russian opera troupe was pushed aside by the Italian one, which was under the patronage of the court, and transferred to Moscow. Her performances were resumed in St. Petersburg only in the mid-1850s. on the stage of the Circus Theatre, which after a fire in 1859 was rebuilt (architect A.K. Kavos) and opened in 1860 under the name Mariinskii Opera House(in 1883-1896 the building was reconstructed under the direction of architect V.A. Schröter). Creative development and the formation of the theater are associated with the performance of operas (as well as ballets) by A.P. Borodin, A.S. Dargomyzhsky, M.P. Mussorgsky, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, P.I. Tchaikovsky (many works for the first time). The high musical culture of the group was promoted by the activities of conductor and composer E.F. Napravnik (1863-1916). Choreographers M.I. Petipa and L.I. Ivanov made a great contribution to the development of ballet art. Singers E.A. Lavrovskaya, D.M. Leonova, I.A. Melnikov, E.K. Mravina, Yu.F. Platonova, F.I. Stravinsky, M.I. performed on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater. and N.N. Figner, F.I. Chaliapin, dancers T.P. Karsavina, M.F. Kshesinskaya, V.F. Nizhinsky, A.P. Pavlova, M.M. Fokin and others. The performances were designed major artists, including A.Ya. Golovin, K.A. Korovin.

After the October Revolution, the theater became state, and since 1919 - academic. Since 1920 it was called the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, since 1935 - named after Kirov. Along with the classics, the theater staged operas and ballets Soviet composers. A great contribution to the development of musical and theatrical art was made by singers I.V. Ershov, S.I. Migai, S.P. Preobrazhenskaya, N.K. Pechkovsky, ballet dancers T.M. Vecheslova, N.M. Dudinskaya, A. V. Lopukhov, K. M. Sergeev, G. S. Ulanova, V. M. Chabukiani, A. Ya. Shelest, conductors V. A. Dranishnikov, A. M. Pazovsky, B. E. Khaikin, directors V. A. Lossky, S. E. Radlov, N. V. Smolich, I. Yu. Shlepyanov, choreographers A. Ya. Vaganova, L. M. Lavrovsky, F. V. Lopukhov. During the Great Patriotic War, the theater was located in Perm, continuing to work actively (several premieres took place, including the opera “Emelyan Pugachev” by M.V. Koval, 1942). Some theater artists who remained in besieged Leningrad, including Preobrazhenskaya, P.Z. Andreev, performed in concerts, on the radio, and participated in opera performances. IN post-war years the theater paid great attention Soviet music. The artistic achievements of the theater are associated with the activities of the main conductors S.V. Yeltsin, E.P.Grikurov, A.I.Klimov, K.A.Simeonov, Yu.X.Temirkanov, directors E.N.Sokovnin, R.I.Tikhomirov , choreographers I.A. Belsky, K.M. Sergeev, B.A. Fenster, L.V. Yakobson, artists V.V. Dmitriev, I.V. Sevastyanov, S.B. Virsaladze and others. In the troupe ( 1990): chief conductor V.A. Gergiev, chief choreographer O.I.Vinogradov, singers I.P.Bogacheva, E.E.Gorokhovskaya, G.A.Kovalyova, S.P.Leiferkus, Yu.M.Marusin, V.M.Morozov, N.P.Okhotnikov, K I. Pluzhnikov, L. P. Filatova, B. G. Shtokolov, ballet dancers S. V. Vikulov, V. N. Gulyaev, I. A. Kolpakova, G. T. Komleva, N. A. Kurgapkina, A .I.Sizova and others. Awarded the Order of Lenin (1939), October revolution(1983). Large-circulation newspaper “For Soviet Art” (since 1933).

One of the most significant musical theaters; the most famous opera and ballet theater. Since the reign of Catherine II, it has been an imperial theater. It is included in the version of our site.

The history of the Mariinsky Theater began in 1783, when the Bolshoi Theater was built in St. Petersburg by order of the Empress. During the reign of Alexander II, the theater was renamed in honor of his wife, Maria Alexandrovna. In October 1860, the premiere of M. Glinka's opera took place in the new theater. The old building was used as a conservatory.

It is not for nothing that the Mariinsky is considered one of the most significant theaters in the world of opera and ballet. In the second half of the 19th century, the most important premieres in the history of Russian opera took place on its stage: Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov, Tchaikovsky's Iolanta and many other famous productions.

In 1920, with the change of government, the theater was renamed Kirovsky. The former name was returned in 1992. The interior of the theater was reconstructed twice. Today, this is one of the most beautiful halls in the world, and the unique curtain, created in 1914, has long been business card theater Not far from the theater in 2013, the building of the second stage of the Mariinsky was built.

The main building of the theater is located on Teatralnaya Square in St. Petersburg. You can get to the square by public transport, or by walking 15-20 minutes from the Sadovaya/Sennaya Ploshchad/Spasskaya metro stations.

During the breaks between theater seasons main stage other groups perform.

Photo attraction: Mariinsky Theater

MARIINSKY THEATER - go-su-dar-st-ven-ny aka-de-mi-che-sky, theater of opera and ba-le-ta, one of the oldest theaters in Russia -sii (St. Petersburg).

Named in 1860 in honor of the emperor. Maria Alek-san-d-rov-ny - sup-ru-gi imp. Alek-san-dr. II. Before the February Revolution of 1917, he was part of the system of im-per-ra-tor theaters. On December 9, 1917, the right-handed government announced the state government and transferred it to the People's Commissar. -pro-sa. Since 1920 State aka de mich. theater of opera and ba-le-ta, since 1935 Leningr. aka de mich. theater of opera and ba-le-ta named after. S. M. Ki-ro-va. Since 1992 again Ma-ri-in-sky theater.

The history of M. t. goes back to the court muses. spec-so-lam French. (from the 1720s) and Italian. (from the 1730s) troupes. In 1736, the “Italian-Yan-skaya-kom-pa-niya” produced the first opera-ru-se-ria in Russia - “Si-la love-vi and not-on-vis- ti" F. Araya. By and by, the “Italian Company” began to let the father know. isn't used. Prof. dance-tsov-schi-ki and dance-tsov-schi-tsy appeared after the study of imp. An-noy Iva-nov-noy in 1738 dance-tse-val-noy school (see Aka-de-miya Russian ba-le-ta) under the direction. J. B. Lan-de. In 1783, the Big (Stone) theater was opened (the building was built in 1775-83, architect A. Rinaldi, on the current site of the present St. Petersburg Conservatory); decree of the imp. Eka-te-ri-ny II or-ga-ni-zo-va-na corpse-pa “not for comedies and tragedies alone, but also for opera,” 1- I'm a-sta-new-ka-ko-mich. opera “The Moonlight World” by J. Pai-zi-el-lo (1783, Italian troupe-pa). In 1803, the opera and ballet troupes were separated from the drama. In 1836, he re-built the building of the Big (Ka-men-no-go) theater (architect A.K. Ka -vos); The season opened with the first new opera “A Life for the Tsar” by M. I. Glinka. Until 1860, Italy did not appear on this stage. opera troupe; Rus. opera troupe since 1845 ra-bo-ta-la at the imp. stage in Moscow, from 1854 - in St. Petersburg on the Te-at-ra-circus stage (built in 1847-49, architect. Ka-vos) on the be-re-gu Kru-ko-va ka-na-la.

After the heat of 1859, the building Te-at-ra-tsir-ka re-kon-st-rui-ro-va-but with the same ar-hi-tek-to-rum; openly under the name "M. T." in 1860 the opera “A Life for the Tsar” by M. I. Glinka. When re-building a complex volumetric composition of the building, fa-sa-dy in Russian ek-lek-tiz-ma so- storage of go-ri-zon-tal members and decoration of the floor-by-floor or-de-rum, the audience-room at-da- on a sub-to-about-different form. The same is done to the full extent. weight-ti-bu-li and foyer (for the royal lodge, etc.), ras-shi-re-but foyer for pub-li-ki. That's when the auditorium received the modern day. design with a rich sculptural and living design (including a pla-background by E. Francio-li in es- ki-zam K. Du-zi). In 1885, the next re-construction of the building was carried out (architect V. A. Shröter; to the left wing of the building en 3-storey building with private premises). In 1894, the building was rebuilt again, but Schrö-te-rom: Ch. the fa-garden is decorated with a colossal or-de-rum, the de-cor of the ex-ter-e-ra of the building has become more fragmented, the space has increased - the foyer and the installation of new staircases, Ch. the foyer and the garden-staircases have been preserved to this day, the design, the tree. the re-coverings and brick vaults would have been replaced by a metal lich. and be-ton-ny-mi kon-st-ru-k-tsiya-mi, etc. In 1914, A. Ya. Go-lo-vin created a stage-for-weight (re -s-tav-ri-ro-van in 1952 S. B. Vir-salad-ze). The building suffered during Vel. Otech. wars, re-con-st-rui-ro-va-but in 1943-44. In 1966-67, new buildings were built, new re-pe-ti-tsi-on-ly halls and a small stage were installed (architect. S. M. Gelfer). From the beginning 2000s Construction is underway on the building of the second stage of M. t. In the re-construction of the De-co-ra-ci building he-no-go ma-ga-zi-na and za-la former. Di-rek-tions imp. theater (1900, architect Schröter) the concert hall of M. t. was opened (2004-06, architect K. Fabre).

Opera. In the end 18 - beginning 19th centuries os-no-vu re-per-tua-ra co-staging operas in French. (F. Bou-al-dieu, A. Gret-ri, P. A. Mon-si-nyi, etc.) and Italian. (J. Pai-zi-el-lo, J. Sar-ti, D. Chi-ma-ro-za, etc.) com-po-zi-to-rov, the first pro- from-ve-de-niya rus. com-po-zi-to-rov - M. M. So-ko-lov-sko-go, E. I. Fo-mi-na, V. A. Pash-ke-vi-cha, later S. I. Yes-you-do-va, etc. In 1803-1840 the opera house was headed by K. A. Ka-vos, author of many. operas staged on the te-at-ra stage, among them - “Ivan Su-sa-nin” (1815). In these years, the establishment of the first in Russian. scene from the operas “The Magic Flute” by V. A. Mo-tsar-ta (1818), “Free Shooter” by K. M. von Ve-be -ra (1824), “Nor-ma” and “So-mnam-bu-la” (1837), “Pu-ri-ta-ne” (1840) V. Bel-li-ni, “Luc-chia di Lam-mer-mur" G. Do-ni-tset-ti and others. Ve-du-schi-mi fatherland. so-lis-ta-mi were P. A. Bu-la-khov, Ya. S. Vo-robiev, P. V. Zlov, G. F. Klimov-sky, A. M. Kru-tits-kiy, E. S. San-du-no-va, V. M. Sa-moi-lov and others. You-stu-pa-li Italian., French. and German corpse-py. You-give-with-them-would-have-been a new opera by M.I. Glinka “A Life for the Tsar”, oz-on-me-no- Vav-shaya ro-zh-de-nie Russian. classic operas. In 1842, Glinka’s second opera, “Rus-lan and Lyud-mi-la,” was staged. In both of their spec-ta-lys, the yes-ro-va-nie of outstanding Russians was revealed. singers O. A. Pet-ro-va and A. Ya. Pet-ro-voy-Vo-rob-yo-howl. The opera company also included M. S. Le-be-dev, A. I. Le-o-nov, M. M. Ste-pa-no-va, V. A. She -ma-ev, M. P. She-le-ho-va, S. S. Gu-lak-Ar-te-mov-sky, E. A. Se-me-no-va and others. Since 1843 under po-kro -vis-tel-st-vom yard you-stu-pa-la Ital. opera troupe, in its cast - singers of the world class J. Ru-bi-ni, A. Tam-bu-ri-ni, Ju-lia Gree -zi, L. Lab-lash, P. Vi-ar-do-Gar-sia and others. Rus. the corpse-pa was relegated to the background, and in 1845-54 actually from-gna-na (you-stood-pa-la on imperial scenes Moscow).

In the opera re-per-toi-re opened in 1860 M. t. the emphasis was on Russian. mu-zy-ke. Among the most significant. in a sta-no-vok way - “Rus-lan and Lyud-mi-la” by M. I. Glinka (1861), “Ru-sal-ka” by A. S. Dar-go-myzh-sko-go (1865). Were they the first to be implemented in the history of Russian history? classic operas: “Judith” (1863), “Rog-ne-da” (1865) A. N. Se-ro-va; “The Stone Guest” Dar-go-myzh-sko-go (1872); “Psko-vi-chan-ka” (1873), “May Night” (1880), “Sne-gu-roch-ka” (1882), “Mla-da” (1892), “Night before Ro-zh-de-st-vom” (1895) N. A. Rim-sko-go-Kor-sa-ko-va; “Bo-ris Go-du-nov” (2nd ed., with pro-log) M. P. Mu-sorg-sko-go (1874); “Op-rich-nik” (1874), “Blacksmith Va-ku-la” (1876), “Or-le-an-skaya maiden” (1881), “Cha-ro-dei-ka” (1887), “Pi-ko-vaya da-ma” (1890), “Io-lan-ta” (1892) by P. I. Chai-kov-skogo; “De-mon” by A. G. Ru-bin-shtein (1875); “Prince Igor” by A.P. Bo-ro-di-na (1890); “Ore-steya” by S.I. Ta-nee-va (1895), etc. From Western Europe. re-per-tua-ra po-stav-le-ny “Pro-rock” by J. May-er-be-ra (1869); “Si-la fate” (1862; opera na-pi-sa-na for M. t.), “Tra-via-ta” (1868), “Ai-da” (1877), “Ri -go-let-to" (1878), "Othel-lo" (1887), "Fal-staff" (1894, for the first time in Russian) by G. Verdi; “Lo-en-green” (1868), “Tan-gey-zer” (1874), “Tri-stan and Isol-da” (1899) by R. Vag-ne-ra; “Car-men” by J. Bize and “Ma-non” by J. Mass-ne (both 1885); “Me-fi-sto-fel” by A. Boy-to (1886), operas by K. M. von Ve-be-ra, V. A. Mo-tsar-ta, J. Puch-chi-ni and other com-po-zi-to-rov. Ch. di-ri-zhe-rom in 1860-69 was K.N. Lya-dov (father of the com-po-zi-to-ra A.K. Lya-do-va), in 1869-1916 - E.F. On-right-name, the activity of some syg-ra-la means. role in the history of theat-ra: he was creative. connection with known Russian sources. com-po-zi-to-ra-mi, collected the best art-ti-stich in those at-re. “Strength,” said Prof. the level of opera-no-vok. Among the co-listers of the theater: singers F. P. Ko-mis-sar-zhev-sky, E. A. Lav-rovskaya, D. M. Le-o-no -va, I. A. Mel-ni-kov, F. K. Nikol-sky, Yu. F. Pla-to-no-va.

In the end 19 - beginning 20th centuries re-per-tu-ar te-at-ra included the operas of R. Vag-ne-ra (“Val-ki-ria”, 1900; “Death of the Gods”, 1903; “Zo- lo-to Rei-na”, 1905), “Elek-tru” by R. Strauss, so-by-tiya-mi-sta-nov-ki russian. operas “The Tale of the Unseen City of Ki-te-same and the De-ve-Fev-ro-nii” by N. A. Rim-sko-go-Kor-sa-ko-va (1907, for the first time on stage), “Ho-van-schi-na” by M. P. Mu-sorg-skogo (1911, for the first time in M. t.), etc. In M. t. you have created the largest mas-te-ra opera art: I. A. Al-chevsky, A. Yu. Bol-ska, M. I. Do-li-na, I. V. Er-shov, E. I. Zbrueva, V. I. Kas-tor-sky, V. I. Ku-za, F. V. Lit-vin, E. K. Mra-vi-na, E. K. Pav-lovskaya, M. A. Slav-vi-na, L. V. So-bi-nov, F. I. Stra-vin-sky, I. V. Tar-ta-kov, M. I. and N. N. Fig-ne-ry, M. B. Cher-kas-skaya, L. G. Yakov-lev and others; at some point you came F.I. Sha-la-pin. In those-at-re ra-bo-ta-li-known di-ri-zho-ry - F. M. Blu-men-feld, A. Ko-uts, hu-dozh-ni-ki - A. N. Be-nua, A. Ya. Go-lo-vin, K. A. Ko-ro-vin, B. M. Kus-to-di-ev.

History of the Mariinsky Theater dates back to the Bolshoi Theater founded by decree of Catherine II in 1783, which was located on the site of the current Conservatory ( theatre square St. Petersburg). In 1848, the outstanding architect A. Kavas, prominent representative late classicism, the building of the Mariinsky Theater was erected. The name of the theater is associated with the name of the wife of Alexander II, Empress Maria Alexandrovna.

The first performance at the theater took place on October 2, 1860. It was an opera by M.I. Glinka "Life for the Tsar". On the stage of the Mariinsky Theater the premieres of such masterpieces of Russian classics as “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, “Boris Godunov”, “Khovanshchina” took place, and operas and ballets by Tchaikovsky were staged and presented to the audience. The Mariinsky Theater staged Aida, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Carmen and others for the first time on the Russian stage.

The theater has become the center cultural life St. Petersburg. In the period from 1883 to 1896, under the leadership of V. Schröter, a Russian architect of German origin, the theater was reconstructed, mainly the auditorium. The auditorium of the Mariinsky Theater is one of the most beautiful in the world. It is decorated with a luxurious three-tier chandelier and a picturesque lampshade made by the painter Fracioli, gilded stucco decorations and sculptures, and the famous curtain of the work Russian artist, set designer A. Golovin.

Listing the names of cultural figures associated with the state academic theater would take an infinite number of pages, let's name just a few of them: M. Petipa, F. Chaliapin, A. Istomina, E. Semenova, V. Nijinsky, L. Sobinov, G. Ulanova, A. Pavlova, R. Nuriev. Soviet period The history of the theater is marked by the fact that in 1919 the Mariinsky Theater - Mariinskii Opera House received academic status. In 1935 he was named after S.M. Kirov, which he wore until 1992. During the war, the theater was evacuated to Perm, where it held its performances. Work is currently underway to create a second stage for the theatre. The new building will be located next to the historical building, on the other side of the Kryukov Canal. The architect is Frenchman Dominique Perrault. Artistic director and the director of the theater is Valery Abisalovich Gergiev. His productions become a revelation for the world music community. V. Gergiev is one of outstanding conductors world modernity.

Historical places, attractions in St. Petersburg:

1917-1967

The State Academic Mariinsky Theater is the oldest Russian musical theater. He plays an outstanding role in the history and development of classical and Soviet opera and ballet art.

Opera performances were staged in St. Petersburg throughout the 18th century, but the founding date of the theater is generally considered to be 1783, when performances began to be shown in the so-called Stone Theater(later it was rebuilt as a conservatory). The building that now houses the theater was built in 1860 by the architect A. Kavos.

As before, as now, the formation and replenishment of the troupe is carried out mainly from among the graduates of the oldest educational institution- St. Petersburg Conservatory, founded in 1862, and ballet school, founded in 1738, now called the Academy of Russian Ballet named after A. Ya. Vaganova.

The activities of a brilliant galaxy of representatives of the Russian musical culture associated with the Mariinsky Theater throughout its two-century history. These are conductors A. Kavos, K. Lyadov, E. Napravnik; directors O. Palechek, G. Kondratiev; choreographers C. Didelot, M. Petipa, L. Ivanov, A. Gorsky, M. Fokin; artists K. Korovin, A. Golovin, A. Benois. Its stage was graced by performances by famous singers O. Petrov, I. Melnikov, F. Komissarzhevsky, E. Zbrueva, E. Mravina, N. Figner, L. Sobinov, F. Chaliapin. The glory of Russian ballet owes much to A. Istomina, A. Pavlova, T. Karsavina, V. Nijinsky, N. Legat.

For the first time they performed on the stage of our theater brilliant creations classics of Russian music: “Ivan Susanin” (1836) and “Ruslan and Lyudmila” (1842) by Glinka, “Rusalka” by Dargomyzhsky (1856), “The Woman of Pskov” by Rimsky-Korsakov (1873), “Boris Godunov” by Mussorgsky (1874), “ The Maid of Orleans (1881), Mazepa (1884), The Enchantress (1887), The Queen of Spades (1890) by Tchaikovsky, Prince Igor by Borodin (1890). Many masterpieces of the world's opera classics, including Rossini's The Barber of Seville (1822), Mozart's Don Giovanni (1828), La Traviata (1868), Rigoletto (1878) and Verdi's Otello (1887) for the first time were performed in Russian and staged by the Mariinsky Theatre. Verdi wrote the opera “Force of Destiny” (1862) especially for this theater. The theater was famous for its productions of Wagnerian operas, especially the stage production of the entire tetralogy “The Ring of the Nibelung” (1900-1905).

Ballet art also reached its peak on this stage in productions of “The Sleeping Beauty” (1890), “The Nutcracker” (1892), “ Swan Lake"(1895) by Tchaikovsky, "Raymonda" (1898) by Glazunov, "Chopiniana" (1908). These performances have become the pride of the Russian and world ballet theater and to this day they do not leave the stage.

A new stage in the history of the theater, which took the path of genuine service to the people, began only after the Great October Revolution.

From the first days of the establishment of Soviet power, state and party organizations have shown great concern for creative life and the living conditions of the huge theater team. In 1920 it received the name academic theater opera and ballet. In 1935, it was named after S. M. Kirov, an outstanding figure Communist Party and the Soviet state. From state budget are allocated annually large amounts for creating necessary conditions creative work theater It is important that the pension issue has been resolved, and artists who have worked for 20-30 years (depending on their specialty) are provided with a pension. Vacancies that become available are used to attract new talented performers to the troupe.

It is very important to note that while protecting the great and progressive traditions of Russian classical music, creative team theater, its outstanding artists increased the glory of their famous predecessors.

Creative collaboration with Soviet composers B. Asafiev, Yu. Shaporin, D. Shostakovich, S. Prokofiev, R. Glier, T. Khrennikov, O. Chishko, A. Crane, V. Solovyov-Sedy, A. Petrov. K. Karaev, I. Dzerzhinsky, D. Kabalevsky, V. Muradeli, A. Kholminov and many others determined the most important ideological and artistic achievements of the theater, its constant desire to gain a foothold in the art of socialist realism.

An exceptionally large role in transforming the score into full-fledged, highly artistic musical and stage works belongs to V. Dranishnikov, A. Pazovsky, B. Khaikin, who held the post of chief conductor for many years. And next to them are S. Yeltsin, D. Pokhitonov, E. Mravinsky, E. Dubovsky.

In the post-revolutionary years, directors Vs. made their contribution to the work of the theater. Meyerhold, S. Radlov, E. Kaplan. Most of the theater's repertoire and the enormous work on mastering the realistic style of acting are due to the activities of L. Baratov, I. Shlepyanov, E. Sokovnin as main directors.

A. Vaganova, whose role in the history of choreographic pedagogy is difficult to overestimate, wrote bright pages in the chronicle of the theater’s ballet troupe; choreographers F. Lopukhov, V. Vainonen, V. Chabukiani, L. Lavrovsky, B. Fenster. Their talent as a choreographer was revealed in an interesting and profound way best performances permanent repertoire. The closest creative associates of directors, conductors and choreographers were artists V. Dmitriev, F. Fedorovsky, S. Virsaladze, S. Yunovich, whose sets and costumes in such performances as “Boris Godunov”, “The Legend of Love”, “Ivan Susanin” , " The Tsar's Bride"and others, organically merged with the music and its interpretation.

For several decades, the success of our theater has been facilitated by the fruitful work of outstanding singers I. Ershov, P. Andreev, R. Gorskaya, V. Kastorsky, S. Migai, M. Reizen, S. Preobrazhenskaya, V. Slivinsky, G. Nelepp, O. Kashevarova, I. Yashugin, N. Serval, K. Lapteva, A. Khalileeva, L. Yaroshenko; outstanding ballet soloists E. Luke, M. Semenova, G. Ulanova, O. Jordan, N. Dudinskaya, F. Balabina, T. Vecheslova, V. Chabukiani, K. Sergeev, S. Kaplan, G. Kirillova, N. Anisimova , A. Shelest, I. Belsky, V. Ukhov and others.

The presence of such creative forces within the theater made it possible to carry out tireless work to preserve the best examples of opera and ballet classics and introduce more and more new musical and stage works into the repertoire. It is significant that during the period from 1924 to 1967 the theater staged 63 new operas and ballets by Soviet composers. The best of them became part of the permanent repertoire for many years. T. Khrennikov’s opera “Into the Storm” was shown 74 times, “The Family of Taras” by D. Kabalevsky - 72, “Decembrists” by Yu. Shaporin - 86; ballets: " Bakhchisarai fountain"B. Asafiev - 386 times, "Laurencia" by A. Crane - 113, "Romeo and Juliet" by S. Prokofiev - 100, " Bronze Horseman"R. Gliere - 321, "Spartak" A. Khachaturyan - 135 times. “Younger” performances have also firmly entered the repertoire, such as “Taras Bulba” by V. Solovyov-Sedoy, “The Stone Flower” and “Cinderella” by S. Prokofiev, “The Legend of Love” by A. Melikov, “ Leningrad Symphony"to the music of D. Shostakovich, "The Fate of Man" by I. Dzerzhinsky.

In preparation for the festivities of the 50th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution, the theater developed a three-year plan, which included works by Soviet composers and classics of Russian and foreign music.

The operas “October” by V. Muradeli, “A Tale of One Love” by D. Tolstoy, “Optimistic Tragedy” by A. Kholminov, his “Anna Snegina”, “Peter Grimes” by the modern English composer B. Britten, “The Tsar’s Bride” have already been staged. N. Rimsky-Korsakov, “The Magic Flute” by W. Mozart, “Gunyadi Laszlo” classic hungarian music F. Erkel. Last ballet premiere- “Wonderland” by Leningrad composer I. Schwartz; work on the ballet “Mountain Woman” by the Dagestan composer M. Kazhlaev is close to completion. We expect a lot from creative community with composers D. Shostakovich, I. Dzerzhinsky, M. Matveev, N. Chervinsky, V. Veselov. Their work is the near future of our scene.

The theater's repertoire is large. It includes 36 operas and 29 ballets. I am happy to think that out of 65 performances, 28 operas and ballets were written by Soviet composers.

In order for this large repertoire to be brought to a high artistic level and capture the auditorium, it is necessary to provide each of the numerous “workshops” of our “production of artistic values” with highly qualified management and an appropriate composition of performers. The chief conductor of the theater is one of the country's largest conductors, People's Artist of the USSR Konstantin Simeonov; main director- widely known for his work in musical theater and cinema, Honored Artist of the RSFSR Roman Tikhomirov; chief choreographer - famous choreographer, formerly an outstanding ballet soloist, People's Artist of the USSR Konstantin Sergeev; the choir is led by an experienced master - Honored Artist of the RSFSR Alexander Murin; folk artist RSFSR Ivan Sevastyanov is the main artist of the theater.

No matter how highly we evaluate the work of managers of all sections artistic activity theater, for the spectators who fill the theater hall every evening, the face of the theater is determined primarily by the performing artists. Worthy of representation artistic level the renowned troupe, People's Artist of the USSR B. Shtokolov, People's Artists of the RSFSR G. Kovaleva, R. Barinova; Honored Artists of the RSFSR V. Atlantov, V. Kravtsov, I. Novoloshnikov, T. Kuznetsova; soloists L. Filatova, V. Morozov, I. Bogacheva, L. Morozov, V. Kinyaev, S. Babeshko, M. Chernozhukov, V. Malyshev, A. Shestakova, K. Slovtsova, E. Krayushkina, V. Toporikov; famous soloists ballet People's Artist USSR I. Kolpakova; People's Artists of the RSFSR K. Fedicheva, A. Osipenko, Y. Solovyov; Honored Artists of the RSFSR V. Semenov, S. Vikulov, I. Gensler, O. Zabotkina; soloists N. Makarova, O. Sokolov, E. Minchenok, K. Ter-Stepanova and others.

The work in the theater should definitely be noted folk artists RSFSR V. Maksimova, I. Zubkovskaya, N. Kurgapkina, N. Krivuli, I. Alekseeva, I. Bugaev, B. Bregvadze, A. Makarova; Honored Artists of the RSFSR L. Grudina, V. Puchkov, N. Petrova, O. Moiseeva and others; conductors D. Dalgat, V. Shirokov, choreographers L. Yakobson, Yu. Grigorovich, I. Belsky; teachers-tutors N. Dudinskaya, T. Vecheslova, S. Kaplan; choirmaster B. Shinder.

The theater pays great attention to the growth of young artists. Young people make up a third of our troupe. Therefore, youth shows and systematic introductions of young performers into opera and ballet performances are regularly held. We are pleased with the successes of young artists O. Glinskaite, M. Egorov, G. Komleva, P. Bolshakova. V. Afanaskov, V. Budarin, D. Markovsky, L. Kovaleva, E. Evteeva, conductor V. Fedotov and choirmaster L. Teplyakov. Recently the theater hired a young talented choreographer O. Vinogradov and accepted a capable, promising dancer M. Baryshnikov into the troupe.

The theater orchestra is represented by highly qualified artists, including many laureates of international and all-Union competitions. Currently it is one of the best orchestral groups in the country.

The choir, numbering one hundred artists, is distinguished by its purity of structure, ensemble quality, and clarity of diction.

Among the mass ensembles, it is necessary to note our corps de ballet, which has rightfully earned high praise from audiences in our country and abroad.

Preparation and performances require not only the participation of representatives of musical and choreographic professions, but also great job artistic production and workshops. Experienced craftsmen work here - make-up artists, costume designers, prop makers, lighting technicians. assemblers, etc. They were supervised for many years by the oldest specialists N. Ivantsov (in the theater), A. Belyakov (in the workshops). Now the production department is headed by F. Kuzmin, and the theater workshops are headed by B. Korolkov. It is also necessary to note the decorative artists N. Melnikov, S. Evseev, M. Zandin, who devoted many years to work in the theater.

The S. M. Kirov Theater is one of the largest in the country; its staff, without theater workshops, numbers more than 1,000 people. The difficult task of organizing the production and creative process, covering all aspects of the theater’s life, involves the opera and ballet departments, the repertoire and literary department, the planning department, and the audience organization group. Left behind a good memory former directors theater V. Aslanov, V. Bondarenko, G. Orlov and former heads of the director's department V. Krivalev and A. Picard.

Significant role in establishing the principal lines of development repertoire policy theater, in solving the most complex creative issues, the artistic council of the theater plays a role, which includes the chief conductor, People's Artist of the USSR K. Simeonov, the chief director, Honored Artist of the RSFSR R. Tikhomirov, main artist People's Artist of the RSFSR I. Sevastyanov, chief choreographer, People's Artist of the USSR K. Sergeev, chief choirmaster, Honored Artist of the RSFSR A. Murin, head of the repertoire and literary department T. Bogolepova, leading soloists, People's Artists of the USSR B. Shtokolov, I. Kolpakova; People's Artists of the RSFSR G. Kovaleva, R. Barinova, K. Fedicheva, Y. Solovyov; orchestra soloists O. Barvenko, L. Perepelkin, A. Kazarina; teachers and tutors, People's Artist of the USSR N. Dudinskaya, Honored Artist of the RSFSR S. Kaplan, representatives of creative unions - composers B. Arapov, V. Bogdanov-Berezovsky, M. Matveev, artist S. Dmitrieva, etc.

The team is closely connected with the broad masses of spectators. During 1966 alone, about 600,000 people attended the theater and outdoor performances.

In 1940, the theater successfully took part in the Decade of Leningrad Art in Moscow; in 1965 he conducted a large tour in the capital of our Motherland. At performances held in Bolshoi Theater and the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, attended by 140,000 spectators. In 1964-1966, over 700,000 spectators attended performances and concerts of our artists in Greece, Italy, England, Belgium, France, the USA and Canada. Many spectators from the GDR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary attended the performances of the leading soloists of our theater. Thus, over the past years, the theater has widely promoted Soviet art among the audience Soviet Union And foreign countries, who highly appreciated his performances.

For services to the development of Soviet art in 1939, the theater awarded the order Lenin. Large group workers over the past years has been awarded orders of the Soviet Union, sixty-six theater workers have been awarded honorary titles People's Artists, Honored Artists, Honored Artists, ten were awarded the title of State Prize laureates, twelve were awarded badges from the Ministry of Culture “For Excellent Work”. For successful participation in competitions, sixty artists received the title of laureate of international and all-Union competitions.

Many artists and other theater workers were awarded military orders of the Soviet Union and the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad.” Defending the Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, about 300 theater workers died at the fronts and during the defense of Leningrad.

Currently, the team is doing a lot of patronage work in parts Soviet army. For active participation and good results Under the patronage of the theater, the challenge red banner of the USSR Ministry of Defense was transferred for storage. Sixty-five artists were awarded the honorary badge “Excellence in Cultural Patronage of the Armed Forces of the USSR.” The theater carries out significant work on cultural patronage at enterprises in the city and in rural areas Leningrad region.

Not to stop there, to persistently solve the ideological and creative problems put forward by modern times, to participate with your art in the struggle for the construction of a communist society, for the rise of musical culture - this is the path along which the theater is moving, inspired by the great ideas of Lenin’s party, which led the country and people to a significant 50th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.

P. I. Rachinsky. "Theater of Great Traditions and Quests", 1967