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Over seven weeks there will be over sixty performances and concerts at the Mariinsky Theatre, the Great and Small Halls of the St Petersburg Conservatoire and the Hermitage Theatre as well beyond St Petersburg in Kaliningrad, Vyborg, Ivangorod and Tikhvin. Highlights of the Festival include:
 a premiere of Mikhail Glinka's opera A Life for the Tsar, marking two hundred years since the composer's birth the second Russian performance of a new production of Richard Wagner's tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen (10-15 June) stars of the Mariinsky Opera Olga Borodina, Anna Netrebko and Vladimir Galuzin performing their finest roles in operas and solo concerts a series of performances entitled The Balanchine Century (2-7 June), marking one hundred years since the birth of George Balanchine, the 20th century's greatest choreographer a series of Piano Stars of the White Nights concerts with virtuoso performers Mikhail Pletnev, Alexander Toradze, Yefim Bronfman, Vladimir Feltzman and Tsimon Barto.2005 premierres:
Richard Wagner "Tristan and Isolde"Alfred Schnittke "Per Gynt" (Norwegian Opera soloists, Mariinsky Chorus, Swedish Radio Orchestra) Gioachino Rossini "Il viaggio a Reims"
|  Mariinskiy Theatre,
Teatralnaya pl. #1. Still known as The Kirov Theatre in the West. |
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The show is performed by the professional folk groups. It lasts for about two hours and consists of two parts. In the intermission refreshments are served, guests are treated to fruit, canapes with red and black caviar, ham, smoked sausages, cheese, strong and soft drinks (Russian vodka, champagne, mineral water, juice). During the interval, classical music known world-wide is performed by a string quartette. Various Russian souvenirs are sold. The show takes place on the stage of the Concert Hall with a seating capacity of 340 seats. |
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The Nikolayevsky Art-Centre, the sponsor of Russian folk shows in St.Petersburg, is located in the Nikolayevsky Palace and named after it. Whatever deep the emotions at the Russian folklore may be, they are certainly emphasized by the magnificent interiors of the Palace. It is a fine example of the 19th century architecture built to the design by the famous architect Andrey Stakenshneider for Emperor Nicholas I's son, Grand Duke Nikolay. Due to this fact, the current name of the former Grand Duke's residence is the Nikolayevsky Palace. |
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