Cultured Soul

Despite the lack of blue skies and sun in St. Petersburg, I have found that the light has always been shining in this city. In the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to experience the wonders and magnificence of high-culture in art galleries and on stage. What is incredible about this city is the plethora of opportunity to attend an exhibition at a museum, listen to an opera, watch a ballet, and view eminent works of art.

A couple weeks ago our weekly excursion took us to the Michailovsky Theatre located on “Площадь Искусств” or the Square of Art. It is almost next door to the Russian Museum. That night, it had begun to snow big beautiful flakes which only added to the magic of the evening. We met in the lobby and after we received our tickets we checked our coats and hastened to find our seats. I was seated right in the middle which was great because I was able to see both sides of the stage equally well. The seating area is also not very big so, really, no matter where one sits, one is bound to have a good view. The inside of the theatre is spectacular. The gold detailing and the artistry of the walls, the seat boxes and the ceilings made me feel like I had walked into a lavish palace. The show began. The opera was called “La Triviatta”. Although the opera was performed in Italian, subtitles in Russian displayed above the stage allowed for comprehension.
The next week brought us to a ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre, arguably one of the most beautiful and best theatres in Russia and perhaps in the entire world. The most famous ballerinas have graced the stage of the Mariinsky and this evening I had the chance to see it for myself. The luxurious stage curtain opened and “Romeo and Juliet” began. It was very interesting to watch Shakespeare’s masterpiece in ballet form because obviously the play was meant to be performed as a play, not a dance. However, one would never guess that after watching this performance. Not only was every move the dancers made absolutely perfect, the story was marvelously captured without any words at all. Inside the Mariinsky Theatre:

If I were to choose one place that I love walking through the most, it would have to be the Russian Museum. It is one of the greatest showcases of Russian art in the world. Collections of Russian icons, statues, 18^th century to 20^th century art, as well as folk art, fill the large rooms of the old Michailovsky Palace. With my Student ID I can get in for about 30 roubles, which is the equivalent of about one dollar. (By the way the Hermitage is absolutely free with Student IDs! J) Some of my favorite pieces of art include the “Last Day of Pompeii”, painted by Karl Brullyov, “Barge Haulers on the Volga,” painted by Ilya Repin, the statue “Girl with a Butterfly” and “What Freedom!” painted by Ilya Repin. I got the chills when I first saw Barge-Haulers on the Volga because I first learned about this painting when I was in 8^th grade and seeing it in real-life was just incredible. I find it the most relaxing and mind-freeing experience to walk slowly through the Russian Museum. To be surrounded by the works of so many masterminds makes me feel so lucky live in this impressive city. Outside of the Russian Museum:

I am looking forward to returning next semester for all of the culture and art that this city has to offer. The sun really does shine all the time.