The Saint Petersburg ballet season is an exciting time in the city and has a rich tradition dating back almost three centuries. The Mariinsky Ballet has been operating for more than 222 years. There are four other venues in Saint Petersburg that put on ballets, and all of them have long and intriguing histories. Saint Petersburg is known as the heart of Russian culture, and for good reason--the city is a center of artistic innovation and creativity.

The Mariinsky Theater and its ballet company are probably the most famous in St. Petersburg. Great Russian dancers like Anna Pavlova and Mikhail Baryshnikovv emerged out of this company.>Also known as the Kirov Ballet company, the famous troupe has performed worldwide. The building itself is one of the most famous in the world as a center for culture and dance.

Besides the Mariinsky, the Saint Petersburg ballet schedule is split between three other great theaters. The Hermitage Theater was built by Catherine the Great and was completed in 1785. The Mussorgsky Opera House has been in existence since 1833, and has beautiful ornate interior reminiscent of its time. Finally, the Opera and Ballet of the Conservancy was where Tchaikovsky studied and it is still a working, operating theater.

The Saint Petersburg Ballet--a History
All the history and lore associated with the Saint Petersburg ballet is fascinating by itself. Imagine actually attending a performance where the greats of the music and ballet world developed their craft! If you are a serious lover of the arts, you will not want to miss the Saint Petersburg ballet season.

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