The theatre was designed by architect A.K.Kavos and reconstructed in the late 19>th century under the leadership of V.A.Shreter. It was named after Alexander II's wife Mary. The artistic development of the Mariinsky theatre is associated with performances (often premieres) of operas by the great Russian composers such as N.A.Rimsky-Korsakov, P.I.Chaikovsky, S.S.Prokofyev, D.D.Shostakovich and others, as well as foreign classical composers. The theatre has always had eminent conductors, and the troupe has consisted of world-famous opera and ballet stars such as F.Shalyapin, A.Pavlova, V.Nizhinsky, G.Ulanova and M.Baryshnikov.
Since 1935 until recently the theatre has had the name of Leningrad's communist leader S.M.Kirov. It has received high national awards. The hall holds 1,625 people, and one can scarcely find any vacant seats at any performance. The Kirov Ballet troupe, as it is called abroad, is often on tours.
Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theatre. One of the best theatres in St. Petersburg, if not all Russia. It was founded in 1919 on the initiative of M. Gorky, A. Lunacharsky, A. Blok and M. Andreyeva. After the death of G.A. Tovstonogov, who hds been the theatre's stage director from 1956 until 1989, the theatre was named after him in recognition of his merits and talent. The troupe had always been very bright, although many actors were leaving for other theatres. The theatre is currently experiencing difficult times, as it is not easy to replace the great director, but it seems that the theatre is heading in the right direction. Ballet artists are performing here during the summer, when the theatre troupe is on vacation. The theatre has been awarded several orders and the "Academic" title. Its capacity is 1,258 seats.
Musorgsky Opera and Ballet Theatre
The theatre was established in 1918 as an affiliate of the Mariinsky Theatre. It is most known for its premieres of pieces by contemporary composers, such as S. Prokofyev, D. Shostakovich, A. Khachaturyan, R. Schedrin and others. The theatre created its own troupe during 1931-33.
Today this theatre is the only one in the city to stage plays such as "Fadetta", "Tsar Boris", "The White Knight" and "MacBeth". It occupies the building of the Mikhailovsky Theatre, named after Nicholas I's brother prince Mikhail Pavlovich.