Interviews

Having triumphantly concluded an extensive tour of six cities in China, Valery Gergiev and the artists of the Mariinsky Orchestra now journey to Vladivostok. On 29 October a combined orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, and the Primorsky Stage, under the maestro’s baton, along with leading opera soloists, will open the IX International Mariinsky Far East Festival, which will unfold in two stages: an operatic programme, featuring four productions, will be presented from 29 October to 3 November, followed by a ballet programme from 14 to 17 November.

The festival commences with a performance of The Enchanted Wanderer, an opera by the eminent contemporary composer Rodion Shchedrin, on 29 October. Composed in 2002, this parable opera, based on the eponymous novella by Nikolai Leskov, immediately garnered international acclaim. Last year this masterpiece was staged in Vladivostok by Alexei Stepanyuk. Soloists from the Primorsky Stage – Evgeny Plekhanov, Ilya Astafurov and Tatiana Makarchuk – will perform the principal roles. Valery Gergiev will conduct a combined symphony orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, and the Primorsky Stage.

On 30 October Puccini’s opera Tosca, directed by Hans-Joachim Frey, will be presented at the Great Hall of the Primorsky Stage. This production premiered in Vladivostok in 2015. The leading roles will be sung by the brilliant St Petersburg-based Mariinsky Theatre soloists Tatiana Serjan and Sergei Skorokhodov. The performance will feature the Primorsky Stage Chorus, with Valery Gergiev conducting the Mariinsky Orchestra.

On 31 October Verdi’s opera Nabucco will be presented for the first time at the Primorsky Stage. This production premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg last year. Leading soloists from the St Petersburg company – Vyacheslav Vasiliev, Sergei Skorokhodov, Yakov Strizhak, Olga Maslova and Zinaida Tsarenko – will take on the principal roles. The performance will feature the Primorsky Stage Chorus, with Valery Gergiev conducting the Mariinsky Orchestra.

The operatic portion of the festival concludes with three performances of one of the Mariinsky Theatre’s recent premieres. On 2 and 3 November (13:00 and 19:00) Rossini’s opera La Cenerentola will be presented in Vladivostok for the first time. Soloists from the St Petersburg company will sing the principal roles. The performances will feature the Mariinsky Chamber Chorus, with Pavel Smelkov conducting the Mariinsky Orchestra of the Primorsky Stage.

As part of the ballet programme, from 14 to 17 November, audiences in Vladivostok will have their first opportunity to see recent Mariinsky Theatre premieres from St Petersburg – Léo Delibes’ Coppélia, choreographed by Alexander Sergeev, and Anyuta, set to music by Valery Gavrilin and choreographed by Vladimir Vasiliev. Leading soloists from the Mariinsky Ballet in St Petersburg will play the principal roles. Arseny Shuplyakov will conduct the Mariinsky Orchestra of the Primorsky Stage for these performances.

On 27 October a concert by the Mariinsky Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev in Macao marked the grand finale of the symphonic programme for their extensive China tour. The celebrated ensemble and maestro graced six cities across the nation: Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Macao as well as – for the first time – Jinan and Shenzhen.

During the tour the artists presented eight symphonic concerts at some of China’s most prestigious and iconic venues. These included the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, the Shandong Grand Theatre in Jinan, the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre, the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts in Nanjing, the Shenzhen Concert Hall and the Macao Cultural Centre. They presented diverse programmes showcasing masterpieces by Russian and European composers to enthusiastic Chinese audiences. The concluding concert in Macao featured Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances and excerpts from Stravinsky’s ballet Petrouchka.

“This October has been a month filled with touring engagements for us,” Valery Gergiev summarised, “particularly in the People’s Republic of China. This is our second visit to Macao this month – we previously brought an opera here. The concert in Shenzhen, where we performed for the first time, was particularly special. It is a city of immense economic achievements, as many have observed. We have made renowned friends here, and the concert was a great pleasure.”

He continued, “It is safe to say that the performances of both the Bolshoi Ballet and the Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra took place at the country’s leading venues. We are developing relationships with musicians, exchanging performances, and inviting young people to perform with us. And we are also looking forward to returning home. We have major events planned at both the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and the Mariinsky Theatre as well as a festival at the Moscow Concert Hall Zaryadye. We are eager to return, we miss home, and we will be back soon!”

This extensive China tour by the Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev took place from 10 to 27 October. The ballet portion of the tour, which ran from 10 to 26 October, encompassed performances in Beijing, Nanchang and Shanghai, featuring Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Minkus’ La Bayadère as well as a captivating ballet gala. The symphonic leg of the tour, conducted by maestro Gergiev, took place from 17 to 27 October in Beijing, Jinan, Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Macao.

Earlier in the month, from 4 to 6 October, the Mariinsky Theatre opera soloists, Chorus and Orchestra under maestro Gergiev presented Puccini’s Tosca in Macao to critical acclaim. Three performances, featuring the Macao Orchestra and the Macao Youth Choir, were held at the Macao Cultural Centre.

On 1 November, at 20:00, Verdi’s Aida will resound through the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre. This concert performance of the Italian composer’s masterpiece marks the upcoming anniversary of the opera’s Russian premiere. The inimitable Elena Stikhina will take on the title role, joined by a constellation of brilliant Mariinsky Theatre soloists: Najmiddin Mavlyanov, Alexey Markov, Anna Kiknadze, Gleb Peryazev and Gennady Bezzubenkov. Gurgen Petrosyan, a laureate of the Rachmaninoff International Competition for Pianists, Composers and Conductors, will stand at the helm of the Mariinsky Orchestra.

Commissioned by the Khedive of Egypt to celebrate the opening of the Cairo Opera House and the completion of the Suez Canal, Aida holds the distinction of being the first Egyptian national opera. Its world premiere took place in Cairo on 24 December 1871, and from its very first performance the opera was met with resounding success. The Egyptian triumph was followed by acclaim in the composer’s homeland and then throughout Europe: Milan, Parma, Padua, Naples, Berlin, Vienna, Paris – in every city the work was received with enthusiasm.

In Russia Aida was first presented in St Petersburg, on the stage of the Bolshoi (Kamenny) Theatre, the grand predecessor of the Mariinsky Theatre. The premiere took place in 1875, performed by the Imperial Italian Opera Company. Just two years later, in 1877, Aida graced the Mariinsky Theatre, in what is now known as the Historic Stage. The performance was given in Russian (translated by Grigory Lishin) by the Imperial Russian Opera Company, with Eduard Nápravník conducting.

From its first performance in Russia Aida has captivated audiences, and for a century and a half it has remained a fixture on the operatic stage. The work combines a gripping plot, emotional expressiveness and a wealth of musical riches, ensuring its enduring popularity and a long and successful stage life.

The Mariinsky Ballet’s tour of China concluded today with a captivating performance of Minkus’ La Bayadère at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, marking the culmination of a highly successful visit to the country. The tour, which spanned 10 to 26 October, encompassed three cities: Beijing, Nanchang and Shanghai.

Over the course of the tour the Mariinsky Ballet presented thirteen performances, showcasing renowned masterpieces from its repertoire, including Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Minkus’ La Bayadère, alongside a dazzling gala concert. Principal roles were played by leading dancers of the Mariinsky Ballet – Viktoria Tereshkina, Renata Shakirova, Oksana Skorik, Nadezhda Batoeva, Kimin Kim, Timur Askerov, Andrey Ermakov, Roman Belyakov, Elena Yevseyeva, Philipp Stepin, Alexandra Khiteyeva and Anastasia Lukina. Arseny Shuplyakov conducted the performances.

“It is significant that this autumn tour took place within the framework of the Russia–China Cross Years of Culture, declared by the heads of both states. At the solemn ceremony dedicated to the 75^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, Xi Jinping remarked that music unites hearts and minds, and in Chinese culture it is traditionally perceived as a language of friendship. Dance, and especially classical dance, thrives on music: great Russian composers have generously gifted the ballet world with their works. One such masterpiece – Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet – we presented this year in China. That ballet has been enthusiastically received by audiences across all continents for almost eighty-five years. The second ballet that Chinese audiences saw – Minkus’ La Bayadère – represents the pinnacle of classical dance. It is immensely gratifying that we were able to present all these performances live, because theatrical art is, first and foremost, an exchange of emotions, and the Chinese public welcomed us with exceptional warmth. At certain moments the audience held their breath or even gasped at the dancers’ soaring leaps and other technically demanding feats. We see how the number of devoted fans who wait for our artists after the performances at the stage door to get autographs and photographs is growing every year, which means that the desire to see us more and more often in this wonderful, rapidly developing country with an ancient culture is also growing,” said Andrian Fadeyev, Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Ballet, summarising the tour.

The Mariinsky Theatre’s extensive tour of China took place from 10 to 27 October. The tour of the Mariinsky Ballet and Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev encompassed a total of seven cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Nanchang, Jinan, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Macao. The symphonic portion of the tour will conclude tomorrow, 27 October, with a concert at the Macao Cultural Centre.

From 6 to 9 November the Mariinsky-2 will host a series of performances by the Bolshoi Ballet. This time the renowned Moscow company will grace the St Petersburg stage with a revived masterpiece by composer Sergei Prokofiev, choreographer Leonid Lavrovsky and designer Pyotr Williams – the ballet Romeo and Juliet (1946 production). This celebrated production returned to the Bolshoi Theatre’s repertoire in April of this year.

Taking on the principal roles during the tour are: 6 November – Elizaveta Kokoreva and Artem Ovcharenko; 7 November – Anastasia Stashkevich and Makar Mikhalkin; 8 November – Svetlana Zakharova and Artemy Belyakov; 9 November (12:00) – Eleonora Sevenard and Denis Rodkin; 9 November (19:00) – Eva Sergeenkova and Artem Ovcharenko.

Pavel Sorokin will conduct the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra for all performances.

Romeo and Juliet premiered at the Kirov (Mariinsky) Theatre in 1940. This harmonious production seamlessly blends the beauty and expressiveness of Prokofiev’s score with Lavrovsky’s spirited and innovative choreography, Williams’ elegant and austere designs, and the captivating acting of the dancers. Galina Ulanova’s portrayal of Juliet became the soul of the production and its enduring symbol.

During World War II, by decree of the Soviet government, Galina Ulanova transferred to the Bolshoi Theatre, and in 1946 Romeo and Juliet entered its repertoire. “This production,” wrote Leonid Lavrovsky, “is by no means a mechanical transfer of the performance from the stage of the Kirov Theatre. I have radically revised the choreographic interpretation of a number of scenes, deepened and modified the characterisations and re-examined the dance vocabulary of individual characters. P.V. Williams is currently undertaking similar work, modifying and finding new principles for the scenic design…”

Lavrovsky’s celebrated production graced the Bolshoi stage for many years. During the company’s first tour to London in 1956 it captivated British audiences and achieved international acclaim.

In April 2024 this iconic ballet was revived at the Bolshoi Theatre by the choreographer’s son, Mikhail Lavrovsky, a distinguished danseur noble, People’s Artist of the USSR and one of the finest interpreters of the role of Romeo.

“Times have changed, as have passions, aspirations and tastes. This cannot be ignored; new productions are essential in the theatre – on contemporary themes, in a contemporary rhythm. But we must also preserve the old that carries profound meaning. We must not lose that which was our strength. The whole world has learned from us the truth of feeling, the fullness of emotion, and the ability to construct grand narrative ballets,” says Mikhail Lavrovsky.

The production team for this revival includes Anton Grishanin as a music director, Sergei Grachev as a set revival designer, Tatiana Noginova as a costume designer, and Damir Ismagilov as a lighting designer.

The Mariinsky Orchestra’s extensive tour of China continues apace. On 24 October the ensemble under the esteemed baton of Valery Gergiev will give its inaugural performance in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, a major industrial centre in the Pearl River Delta.

The concert will take place in the modern and acoustically acclaimed Shenzhen Concert Hall. The building, constructed in an avant-garde style, is one of the city’s architectural landmarks.

The Mariinsky Orchestra, led by maestro Gergiev, will perform Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6, Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

This grand tour of the Mariinsky Orchestra continues until 27 October. The opening concerts took place to resounding success on 17 and 18 October at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. On 19 October the orchestra under maestro Gergiev made its debut in Jinan. Subsequent performances have taken place in Shanghai and Nanjing. The symphonic part of the Mariinsky Theatre’s China tour will conclude with two concerts in Macao on 26 and 27 October.

The Mariinsky Ballet Company is also currently touring China, with performances scheduled until 26 October.

On 19 October, as part of their extensive tour of China, the Mariinsky Orchestra under the esteemed baton of Valery Gergiev will give their first-ever performance in the picturesque city of Jinan.

The concert will take place at the Shandong Grand Theatre, a venue renowned for its modern architecture and superb acoustics. In Jinan the orchestra, led by maestro Gergiev, will perform Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and excerpts from Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet.

This grand tour of the Mariinsky Orchestra continues until 27 October. The opening concert of the tour took place to great acclaim on 17 October at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. A second concert at the same venue is scheduled for 18 October. In total, the orchestra under maestro Gergiev’s direction will play in six cities across China: Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Macao and, for the first time, Jinan and Shenzhen.

The Mariinsky Ballet Company is also currently touring China, with performances scheduled from 10 to 26 October. The tour programme features Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Minkus’ La Bayadère, alongside a captivating ballet gala.

The symphonic part of the Mariinsky Theatre’s extensive tour of China will unfold from 17 to 27 October. The Mariinsky Orchestra under the esteemed baton of Valery Gergiev will grace six cities across the nation: Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Macao and – for the first time – Jinan and Shenzhen.

This part of the tour encompasses eight events. The first two concerts will take place at one of China’s most prestigious musical venues, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. On 17 October the Mariinsky Orchestra, led by maestro Gergiev, will play Ravel’s Pavane for a Dead Princess and Boléro, Debussy’s La Mer, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4 and excerpts from Stravinsky’s ballet Petrouchka. The following evening, 18 October, the programme will feature Wagner’s Overture to Tannhäuser, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol, excerpts from the ballets The Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky and Cinderella by Prokofiev, culminating in Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5.

On 19 October the Mariinsky Orchestra will make its debut in Jinan, performing at the Shandong Grand Theatre. The programme includes excerpts from Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

The following day, 20 October, a concert will be given in Shanghai – at the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre. The programme features Musorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

The tour continues to Nanjing, where on 22 October the orchestra under maestro Gergiev’s direction will play at the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts. The programme includes Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances and excerpts from Stravinsky’s ballet Petrouchka.

On 24 October the Mariinsky Orchestra will give its inaugural performance in Shenzhen. The Shenzhen Concert Hall will resonate with the sounds of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

The grand tour of the Mariinsky Orchestra concludes with two concerts in Macao. On 26 October at the Macao Cultural Centre the orchestra under maestro Gergiev will perform Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and excerpts from Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet. The programme for the evening of 27 October features Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances and excerpts from Stravinsky’s ballet Petrouchka.

This extensive tour marks the latest chapter in the Mariinsky Theatre’s ongoing relationship with China. From 10 to 27 October the Mariinsky Ballet Company and the Mariinsky Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev will bring their artistry to seven cities across the country: Beijing, Shanghai, Nanchang, Jinan, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Macao. The ballet portion of the tour, taking place from 10 to 26 October in Beijing, Nanchang and Shanghai, showcases highlights from the Mariinsky Theatre’s repertoire, including Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Minkus’ La Bayadère, as well as a captivating ballet gala.

From 16 to 25 October the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre will once again become a sanctuary for organ aficionados as it hosts the twelfth iteration of its acclaimed International Organ Festival. Over six evenings audiences will be treated to a diverse and expansive programme traversing various musical epochs and schools, showcasing the organ both in solo settings and within captivating ensembles. Several works will receive their inaugural performance at this year’s festival, promising a truly unique experience for discerning listeners.

The festival boasts an impressive roster of esteemed organists, including Léonid Karev, Andoni Andrada, Marina Väisä, Evgeny Avramenko and Olga Kotlyarova. Their virtuosity will be complemented by the talents of the flautist Maria Fedotova and appearances by the Mariinsky Theatre’s own opera soloists, Chorus, Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus.

The festival commences on 16 October with a recital by Léonid Karev, the distinguished titular organist of Paris’ Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Brunoy’s Church of St Medard and a professor at the Conservatoire de Paris. Mr Karev will present a captivating selection of works by Bach, Handel and Widor, with the Mariinsky Orchestra under the esteemed baton of Christian Knapp.

18 October promises a fascinating exploration of German, French and Spanish organ traditions. The programme features masterpieces by Bach, Vierne, Duruflé and Dupré. Furthermore, the festival welcomes the Spanish organist and Moscow Conservatory alumnus Andoni Andrada, who will make his debut with a performance of two saetas by his fellow countryman Eduardo Torres – evocative works for organ composed in the style of Andalusian sacred songs. Mr Andrada is currently refining his already impressive skills at the École Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot and the Conservatoire de Versailles.

Young music enthusiasts will be enchanted by Marina Väisä’s solo concert on 20 October. A respected pedagogue at the St Petersburg Conservatory’s Organ and Harpsichord Department and the principal organist of St Mary’s Cathedral (St Petersburg) will provide a captivating introduction to the organ. Her programme comprises original compositions and transcriptions of beloved classical miniatures, interwoven with insightful commentary, encompassing works by Bach, Pachelbel, Rameau, Vivaldi–Bach, Pasquini, Soler, Bach–Gounod and Rimsky-Korsakov.

On 22 October Evgeny Avramenko, the titular organist of Kaliningrad Cathedral, joins forces with the celebrated flautist and Honoured Artist of Russia, Maria Fedotova, for an evening of captivating interplay. The audience will be treated to a delightful programme featuring works by Bach, Widor, Mozart, Sużyński, Yanchenko, Dupré, Bozza and Alain, with Bach’s sonatas (originally for harpsichord with keyboard accompaniment) and 20^th-century compositions presented in a fresh and engaging sonic landscape.

A pinnacle of the festival will undoubtedly be the performance of Bach’s monumental Johannes-Passion on 23 October. In this year commemorating the 300^th anniversary of its premiere, this masterpiece by the great German cantor and composer will grace the Mariinsky Theatre stage for the very first time. Following last autumn’s acclaimed performance of the Matthäus-Passion at the Concert Hall, this year continues the tradition of showcasing the Passions, which hold a paramount position within Bach’s profound musical and intellectual legacy. The Mariinsky Theatre’s opera soloists, Chorus and Symphony Orchestra will deliver this profound work under the expert guidance of the conductor Konstantin Rylov.

Bringing the festival to a close on 25 October is a concert by the organist Olga Kotlyarova, joined by the Mariinsky Chamber Chorus under the direction of Pavel Teplov. The soloist will present a captivating selection of works by Purcell, Handel, Bridge and Fauré. As with the preceding evening, audiences can anticipate Mariinsky premieres, with two compositions by Benjamin Britten – the jubilant Te Deum and the cantata Rejoice in the Lamb – receiving their first performance at the theatre.

All events of the International Organ Festival will unfold within the splendid acoustics of the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre. This exceptional venue houses a truly remarkable instrument crafted by the esteemed Strasbourg firm Alfred Kern & Fils – the first French organ to grace Russia in a century.

With nearly three thousand pipes arranged across forty-one registers, three manuals and a pedalboard, this magnificent organ possesses the versatility to accommodate an extensive and diverse repertoire. Its rich tonal palette and impeccable balance, enhanced by an architectural design reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral – soaring pipes, an imposing yet intricate façade and a majestic, soaring voice that envelops the entire hall – make it a truly exceptional instrument. An organ concert is an unparalleled experience for any music lover; the sheer scale, unique sonorities and kaleidoscopic colours of the organ allow it to rival the sonic tapestry of a full orchestra.

From 10 to 27 October the Mariinsky Theatre’s Ballet Company and Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished baton of Valery Gergiev, will embark on an extensive tour of China, gracing seven cities with their artistic brilliance: Beijing, Shanghai, Nanchang, Jinan, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Macao.

The ballet portion of the tour, spanning 10 to 26 October, will enchant audiences in Beijing, Nanchang and Shanghai with jewels from the Mariinsky Theatre’s repertoire, including Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Minkus’ La Bayadère, alongside a captivating gala concert.

A rich symphonic programme featuring masterpieces by Russian and European composers will also unfold during the tour. Under Maestro Gergiev’s direction eight concerts will take place from 16 to 27 October in Beijing, Jinan, Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Macao.

The autumn tour commences at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. On 10 and 11 October the capital will witness the poignant tale of Romeo and Juliet, followed by the exotic splendour of La Bayadère on 12 and 13 October (at 2 pm and 7 pm). Principal roles will be shared by a constellation of acclaimed dancers, including Renata Shakirova, Philipp Stepin, Nadezhda Batoeva, Timur Askerov, Oksana Skorik, Kimin Kim, Alexandra Khiteyeva, Anastasia Lukina and Elena Yevseyeva.

The Mariinsky Ballet then travels to Nanchang, presenting Romeo and Juliet on 17 and 18 October and La Bayadère on 19 and 20 October. Principal roles will be performed by Viktoria Tereshkina, Roman Belyakov, Renata Shakirova, Kimin Kim, Oksana Skorik, Andrey Ermakov, Alexandra Khiteyeva and Elena Yevseyeva.

A dazzling ballet gala will grace the stage of the Shanghai Grand Theatre on 23 October. The diverse programme includes the one-act ballet Chopiniana, pas de deux from Le Carnaval de Venise, Giselle and Don Quixote, the Grand Pas Classique, the choreographic miniature The Swan, and the pas de trois from Le Corsaire. Stars of the company and rising talents will illuminate the stage, including Viktoria Tereshkina, Kimin Kim, Renata Shakirova, Oksana Skorik, Timur Askerov, Nadezhda Batoeva, Andrey Ermakov, Elena Yevseyeva, Philipp Stepin, Camilla Mazzi, Anastasia Lukina, Roman Malyshev, Yaroslav Baibordin, Maria Chernyavskaya and Vlada Borodulina.

Concluding the ballet portion of the tour, La Bayadère will be presented at the same venue on 25 and 26 October.

The symphonic programme commences at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, one of China’s most prestigious music venues, inaugurated in 2007 with a performance of the opera Prince Igor by the Mariinsky Theatre’s soloists, Chorus and Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev.

On 17 October the Mariinsky Orchestra, led by maestro Gergiev, will perform Ravel’s Pavane for a Dead Princess and Boléro, Debussy’s La Mer, Stravinsky’s Petrouchka (1947 version), and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4. The following evening, 18 October, the programme features Wagner’s Overture to Tannhäuser, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol, excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and Prokofiev’s Cinderella, and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5.

On 20 October the Mariinsky Orchestra will perform at the Shandong Grand Theatre in Jinan, one of China’s most modern and technologically advanced theatres. The programme features excerpts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6.

On 22 October the orchestra under maestro Gergiev will appear at the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts in Nanjing, presenting Richard Strauss’ tone poem Don Juan, Stravinsky’s Petrouchka and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.

The tour continues to Shanghai with a concert on 23 October at the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre. The programme includes Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 (“Classical”), the suite from Shchedrin’s The Little Humpbacked Horse, Musorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

On 24 October the orchestra will perform at the Shenzhen Concert Hall, presenting Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4.

The grand tour of the Mariinsky Orchestra, led by maestro Gergiev, culminates with two concerts in Macao. On 26 October the Macao Cultural Centre will host performances of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 (“Classical”), Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Thef ollowing evening, 27 October, the programme features Debussy’s Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun, Stravinsky’s Petrouchka and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.

This extensive tour follows the resounding success of the Mariinsky Theatre’s recent visit to Macao, where from 4 to 6 October opera soloists, the Chorus and Symphony Orchestra under maestro Gergiev presented Puccini’s Tosca to critical acclaim. Three performances, featuring the Macao Orchestra and the Macao Youth Choir, took place at the Macao Cultural Centre.