THE THEATER OF RENOWNED MASTERS EXHIBITION

Friday, 08 September 2006 14:41

St. Petersburg, Russia - On August 30, 1756 Empress Elisabeth Petrovna signed a decree according to which the first state theater was established in Russia.  To commemorate the 250^th anniversary of that historical event “The Theater of Renowned Masters” exhibition was opened in the halls of the Marble Palace in St. Petersburg.

“The Theater of Renowned Masters” historical and art exhibition dedicated to the 250^th anniversary of the Alexandrinsky Theater is the largest exhibition presenting the history of the oldest theater in Russia ever.  It is a joint project of the State Russian Academic Theater of Drama named after Alexander Pushkin (Alexandrinsky Theater), the State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg Art Museum of Theatre and Music and St. Petersburg Theatre Library.  It is one of the most important events among the jubilee actions.

Alexandrinsky Theater has always been known as a “Theater of Renowned Masters”.  This definition is a key to the concept of the current exhibition.  Its creators tried to present the most prominent actors, directors and stage designers who contributed to the performances of the legendary Alexandrinsky Theater.

The exhibition comprises more than 1000 exhibits from the collections of the State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg Art Museum of Theatre and Music, St. Petersburg Theatre Library, Tretyakov Gallery, Tropinin Museum & the Pushkin House.  The visitors of the exhibition will get acquainted with the most significant periods of formation & development of Alexandrinsky Theater and all of its legendary masters: from Dmitrevsky to Cherkasov, from Meyerhold to Tovstonogov, from Dobuzhinsky to Kapelush.

The exposition takes up six halls.  The first hall reproduces the atmosphere of the famous “Artistic Foyer” of the Alexandrinsky Theater where the leading actors gathered & playwrights read their new plays.  There one can see the portraits and photographs of famous actors.  The second hall is dedicated to the creation of Carlo Rossi - the historical building which has housed the Alexandrinsky Theater from 1832 to the present day.  The third hall - “Hall of the Luminaries of Alexandrinsky Theater” presents various objects connected with prominent actors, decoration & personage sketches of the famous performances.  Here one can trace the history of great dynasties of actors.

In the Marble Hall visitors will see the unique sketches of Alexander Golovin, rare photographs and original costumes from the performances staged by Vsevolod Meyerhold. The next hall presents the history of Alexandrinsky Theater in the Soviet era when it was named after Alexander Pushkin in 1937.

The last, 6^th hall is dedicated to the most popular play of the Russian theater – “General Inspector” by Nikolai Gogol.  Here one can get acquainted with all of its productions from the April 19, 1836 premiere to the last staging by the present art director of the Alexandrinsky Theater Valery Fokin.. . The exhibition will be on display till October 5, 2006.

Visit the State Russian Museum at : www.rusmuseum.ru