St. Petersburg Opera and Chamber Music Theatres

The St. Petersburg Opera and Chamber Music Theatres are two of the most popular performing arts venues in the city. They offer a wide variety of performances, from opera to ballet to concerts, and are a great way to experience the city’s culture.

Introduction

St. Petersburg is rich in culture and history, and its opera and chamber music theatres are no exception. With a wealth of talent and experience, these theatres offer visitors a chance to enjoy some of the finest performances in the world.

The St. Petersburg Opera Theatre is the city’s oldest and most prestigious opera house, having been founded in 1883. The Chamber Music Theatre, on the other hand, is a more recent addition to the city’s cultural scene, having been established in 1992.

Both venues boast an impressive roster of performers, with the Opera Theatre featuring internationally-renowned singers such as Anna Netrebko, Eva-Maria Westbroek, and Aleksandrs Antonenko. The Chamber Music Theatre, meanwhile, can boast of performances by world-famous musicians such as Valery Gergiev, Yuri Bashmet, and Denis Matsuev.

If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable cultural experience, then a visit to one (or both) of these incredible theatres is a must.

St. Petersburg Opera

The St. Petersburg Opera and Chamber Music Theatres ( Russian : Санкт-Петербу́ргский о́перный и камерный музыкальные театры ; also known as the St. Petersburg Musical Comedy Theatre (Санкт-Петербургский музыкально-комедийный театр)) is a Russian musical theatre in St. Petersburg .

History

The St. Petersburg Opera and Chamber Music Theatres were founded in 1997 by Russian-American soprano Natalya Znaikova-Baker, with the mission to expose the Petersburg community and visitors to the joys of great music through live performances.

The St. Petersburg Opera and Chamber Music Theatres are housed in two intimate, state-of-the-art venues: the 290-seat Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall and the smaller, more intimate Sheremetev Palace Theatre. Both are located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, within walking distance of each other and many hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

The season typically runs from October through May, with 6-8 operas and 4-5 chamber music concerts offered each year. In addition to traditional operas, the company often presents works by Russian composers as well as lesser-known works from the Western canon. All performances are sung in Russian with English supertitles projected above the stage.

Productions

St. Petersburg Opera is dedicated to bringing world-class opera productions to the community and strives to enrich, educate, and entertain a wide range of audiences through its innovative programs.

The company produces a full opera season of four productions, as well as a summer concert series, educational outreach programs, and special events. St. Petersburg Opera’s mainstage operas are typically sung in English and are fully orchestrated.

Past productions have included such operas as Verdi’s Aida, Puccini’s La Bohème, Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, and many more.

Chamber Music Theatre

The Chamber Music Theatre is one of two opera and chamber music theatres in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1988 by the St. Petersburg City Council. The Chamber Music Theatre is the smaller of the two theatres, with a capacity of only 400 seats.

History

Founded in 1997, The Chamber Music Theatre is a vocal music theatre in the Russian city of St. Petersburg. Based on the works of Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich and other 20th-century Russian composers, the company specializes in chamber opera and oratorio.

The Chamber Music Theatre was founded by Irina Mikhailovna Tsarevna, who also serves as its artistic director. The company’s repertoire includes such works as Prokofiev’s The Gambler, Shostakovich’s The Nose, and Alexander Mosolov’s Iron Foundry. In addition to opera and oratorio, the Chamber Music Theatre also presents concerts of vocal and instrumental music, as well as lectures and master classes.

Performances are given in the Main Hall of the St. Petersburg Opera and Ballet Theatre, as well as in other venues throughout St. Petersburg.

Productions

2018 – 2019 Season

St. Petersburg Opera presents a full season of grand opera, operetta, and musical theatre productions in the historic Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater, plus, special holiday events in December.

September 7 – 30, 2018
The Gondoliers by Gilbert & Sullivan

Set in Venice during the Renaissance, The Gondoliers is one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most tuneful shows. The men of Venice are in an uproar when they discover that one of their own may be heir to the throne of a fictitious kingdom. Meanwhile, two lovely sisters vie for the affections of one dashing young gondolier. Filled with exuberant characters, sparkling melodies and witty lyrics, The Gondoliers is a delightful treat for the whole family!

Directed by Damon Gupton
Conductor – Andres Franco
Choreography by Karine Plantadit-Bageot

Starring: em>D Brandon Baker as Marco Palmieri* Erik Schneiderhan as Giuseppe Palmieri* John Michael Moore as Antonio* Jonathan Tyber as Francesco* Karen Mason-Brandt as Inez* Kristen Garbarino as Gianetta* Laura Cooley as Luiz* *Member of Actors’ Equity Association October 19 – November 4, 2018 (mats 10/21 & 10/28) …And Justice for All by Jule Styne & Bob Merrill Based on And Justice For All by Alan Dershowitz October 31 – November 11, 2018 Giordano’s Fedora by Umberto Giordano Originally presented in 1898 in Milan to great acclaim and still rarely performed in America today, this verismo masterpiece tells the story of an aging actress’s obsession with a much younger man that leads to dire consequences. December 1 & 2 , 2018 Santa’s Helpers Holiday Concert Heralded by The Florida Orchestra bassist Chuck Coffin (“the best live Santa ever!”), this entertaining holiday treat features your favorite holiday classics and carols performed by some of your favorite local celebrities! The perfect holiday outing for family and friends! December 8 & 9 , 2018 A John Ringling Christmas Starring international recording artist Christina Calafiore with The Florida Orchestra December 20 – 30, 2018 (mats 12/22 & 12/29) It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Written by Joe Landry Adapted from the film screenplay written by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling Presented throgh special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc., New York It’s Christmastime in Bedford Falls and you are cordially invited to experience one of America’s most cherished stories performed live on stage as a Radio Play! Join George Bailey – along with his friends and neighbors – at WWRB (Winter Wonderland Radio Bedford) as they re-create a live 1940’s broadcast of It’s A Wonderful Life complete with vintage commercials for local businesses! This beloved classic comes miraculously alive under live foley sound effects including vintage sound effect instruments from the Golden Age of Radio. January 11 – 27 , 2019 Cabaret Book by Joe Masteroff · Music by John Kander · Lyrics Fred Ebb Based on stories by Christopher Isherwood Originally Produced on Broadway By Harold Prince August 9 – 25 , 2019 Dracula Music Composed By Bram Stoker Libretto By Hamilton Deane And John L Weitz September 20 – 29 , 2019 Les Misérables School Edition Music By Claude-Michel Schönberg Lyrics By Alain Boublil And Jean-Marc Natel Based On The Novel Les Misérables By Victor Hugo

Conclusion

In conclusion, the St. Petersburg Opera and Chamber Music Theatres offer a wide variety of performances for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are looking for a classical opera or a more modern chamber music concert, you are sure to find something to your taste. With such a rich history and diverse repertoire, these theatres are truly world-class.