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=St Petersburg Theatres=

Bolshoi Theatre
My research into Melbourne's theatres would not be complete without briefly mentioning and comparing it to its sister city - St Petersburg, Russia. St Petersburg boasts some of the world's most grand, beautiful and historically significant theatres. For example, the Bolshoi has premiered many of Tchaikovsky's masterpieces, including Swan Lake, which was first performed on the 4th of March 1877. For the sake of true lovers of classical arts, I hope this significant fact does not get lost in the translation. As well, other staples of the Bolshoi repertoire includes Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty and the Nutcracker, Adam's Giselle, Prokofier's Romeo and Juliet and Khachaturiar's Spartacus. Bolshoi Ballet, one of the world's most accomplished and renowned ballet companies, often performs at this grand theatre.

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Mariinsky Theatre
== The Mariinksy theatre opened in 1860. It became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres. The Mariinsky theatre is home to the Mariinsky Ballet, Mariinsky Opera and Mariinky Orchestra. The theatre, one of the most beautiful in the world, is elaborately decorated. These may be my salad days and I may be somewhat green in my judgement, but on the balance of evidence this building must stand as the most architecturally striking one I have ever seen. ==

In conclusion, our best and biggest pale into bland insignificance both architecturally, majestically and historically when compared to St Petersburg's theatres. This fact speaks volumes about theatrical sophistication and artistically creative priorities of the two communities and its cities. It is little wonder then that Russia has produced so many geniuses in the field of music and performing arts. Even an artistically illiterate person would have heard of Rimsky-Korsakov, Dimitri Shostakovich, and last but not least Tchaikovsky.

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