The Mariinsky Theater in Russia announced on Tuesday plans for a three-day celebration to mark the opening of the new Mariinsky II opera house in St. Petersburg in May. An opening-night gala conducted by the theater’s artistic and general director, Valery Gergiev, on May 2 will feature performances by an array of stars that include Plácido Domingo, Olga Borodina, Ekaterina Gubanova, Anna Netrebko, René Pape and Yekaterina Kondaurova.
The following day will offer Mariusz Trelinski’s production of Tchaikovsky’s opera “Iolanta” performed by the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet, while later that evening the Mariinsky Ballet will perform Balanchine’s “Jewels.” The celebration will conclude on May 4 with a performance in honor of the prima ballerina Diana Vishneva that includes Balanchine’s “Symphony in C” and Paul Lightfoot’s “Subject to Change.” The evening’s presentation of Verdi’s “Nabucco” will showcase Mr. Domingo and Maria Guleghina.
“The programs for our inaugural festival are chosen to demonstrate the extraordinary range of our companies and our expanded Center, while reflecting both the history of the Mariinsky and the theater’s engagement with today’s audiences and with all phases of contemporary opera, ballet and orchestral music,” said Mr. Gergiev, who is marking his 25th anniversary with the institution.