Ballet!

One of things I admire the most in Russia is it's culture, in specific, the beautiful theatres, opera's and ballets. So visiting a ballet or an opera was definitely on my to-do list. In summer there are no shows in the famous Mariinsky theatre, but luckily the Mikhailovsky theatre presented the Swan Lake.

Mikhailovsky theatre

Yoleen, Luba, Nicole and me went to see the show on Thursday 5 August. When you enter the theatre, you go through detection portals. As I always carry a large bag, because who knows what you might encounter, of course, the alarm went of. If I had any metal stuff with me. After having seen my telephone and keys, the guard asked me something in Russian I didn't understand. Luba, Yoleens Russian friend translated it for me and so asked me if I carried a gun. Taken by complete surprise and driven by sarcasm in a reflex I answered I carried ten. In hindsight I'd say that was not the most smart remark, but it actually made the guard smile. He obvioulsy understood I was a tourist from a non-gun-carrying country. The lounge of the theatre looked nice, more elegant than in Dutch theatres, but while entering the actual hall I couldn't suppress a pleasently surprised "aaah" which made my neighbour smile and me explain that I had never been to a Russian theatre before. Nicole and I sat on the fourth balcony, so very high. Down we could see the orchestra. The theatre was beautifully ornamented with the use of a lot of gold.

Theatre interior

 The ballet, performed by Leonid Jacobson State academic ballet theatrefrom Saint Petersburg, was absolutely amazing. AT first, I must say, dancing didn't seem to by synchronised, but later on that improved. The soloists danced very very beautifully. The decor and the costumes of the performers, ranging from the leading part to the smallest part, were all lovely and fitted so well within the theatre, making it one big spectacle.
Going to the theatre in Russia was a whole new experience and definitely one that I would like to recommend!

Yoleen, Luba, me and Nicole in front of Mikhailovsky theatre