A festival of music celebrating the founding of St. Petersburg

On 27 May, the anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg, the annual Classics on Palace Square gala concert will take place in front of the Winter Palace. This will be the highlight of the City Day celebrations, and, as per tradition, the Mikhailovsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra will take part. Led by maestro Mikhail Tatarnikov, it will accompany well-known opera singers in performing popular classical works.

This year’s concert features music by Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, Kálmán, Puccini and Strauss, and an all-star line-up headed by the world-famous soprano Anna Netrebko. The acclaimed singer and People’s Artist of Russia will be performing together with her husband, the tenor Yusif Eyvazov. Olga Peretyatko (soprano), Ildar Abdrazakov (bass) and Vassily Ladyuk (baritone) will also be singing. The vocal performances will alternate with excerpts from classical ballets performed by Berlin State Ballet soloists Iana Salenko and Dinu Tamazlacaru.

Residents and guests of St. Petersburg will have the opportunity revel in the feel of an imperial ball at Palace Square, thanks to special arrangements made by the concert organizers. The venue will be redesigned as a grand palace lit by a huge golden chandelier, featuring a wide staircase decorated with splendid candelabras.