For the needs of the entrepreneur Casassi. The establishment was named the Casassi Theatre. After the fire at the Bolshoi Theater in 1811, the architect Thomas de Thomon proposed rebuilding the theater, expanding its stage and hall. But this was prevented by the War of 1812.
Discussions about rebuilding the theater continued again after the war, when Emperor Alexander I returned to St. Petersburg. For the new owner of the Anichkov Palace, Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich, the space of the estate was put in order, but there was not enough money to rebuild the Casassi establishment. At this time, funds were used for the construction of the General Staff building. Despite the refusal to build a theater, the design of the square with a new building in the 1810s was drawn up by Carl Rossi, who was engaged in remodeling the interiors of the Anichkov Palace.
Rossi's project began to be implemented with the coming to power of Nicholas I. The Emperor wished to rebuild the square in front of the Grand Duke's palace, which was entrusted to the architect. On April 5, 1828, the project was approved, and the next day a Commission was created “to build a stone theater and two buildings behind it.” The commission was headed by N. Selyavin, vice-president of the Cabinet. Architects N. Tkachev and I. Galberg became Rossi’s assistants at the construction site.
By the spring of 1828, 950,000 rubles were paid from the treasury to the owners of the plots necessary for construction. Those who were in no hurry to vacate the place were forcibly evicted within one week.
For the foundation of the theater, about 5,000 piles were driven into the ground. The walls of the building were erected in the same year. In 1829, they began to install ceilings, which the architect planned to make from metal. This decision was opposed by General Engineer P. Bazin, who headed the Committee for Buildings and Hydraulic Works. He expressed his doubts about the reliability of metal ceilings in a report to the emperor. Nicholas I created a commission to examine the project “for the construction of metal rafters and the roof of the newly built theater on Nevsky Prospekt, whether the walls and rafters will withstand the weight of the machines and whether this device will be dangerous.” Work at M. Clark's Alexander Iron Foundry, which manufactured these structures, was suspended. Carl Rossi and M. Clark were required to provide a model and explanation. In connection with these events, the architect Rossi wrote the following letter to the emperor:
"Illustrious prince, dear sir!
I had the honor to receive an order from Your Excellency, dated September 2, with the announcement that the Sovereign Emperor, having considered the opinion of General Bazin and other papers ... regarding the installation of metal roofs on the newly built theater ... deigned to stop all work on this device until further notice.
On this occasion, I take the liberty to convey to Your Excellency that when His Imperial Majesty deigned to approve my project for a new theater and chose me to build it, then through this I was endowed with complete and complete power of attorney, which I had the good fortune to justify by experience with what others had already produced by me buildings that are not ordinary, such as: the construction of a metal archive in the General Staff Building and the conical vault of a large arch connecting the General Staff building with the new building from the Malaya Millionnaya side. Now, to my greatest regret, I see that I am completely deprived of this power of attorney, and envy and intrigue triumph.
As a result of this, and so as not to darken my reputation, I humbly ask... to seek permission to complete the work begun on installing a metal roof, for me personally, together with Mr. Clark, according to our adopted system. Both I and Mr. Clark answer with honor and head that the said roof will not cause the slightest misfortune and that the entire structure will have the proper strength...
In conclusion, I will inform Your Excellency that in the event that any misfortune occurs in the said building due to the installation of a metal roof, then, as an example for others, let me be immediately hanged from one of the rafters..." [Quoted from: 2, p. 528]
After inspecting the finished metal structures at Clark’s plant on September 19, 1829, Nicholas I announced the decision: “... continue the stone construction of walls for a metal roof and immediately put several iron rafters for the roof for testing, and also put cast iron rafters above the stage after finishing them experience in advance at the factory..." The test consisted of checking the strength of the rafters by hanging a load weighing 40 tons on each of them. Thus, Rossi’s project was nevertheless accepted for execution.
The project for decorating the hall was not fully realized. The architect intended it to be more elegant than what was executed. Bronze and copper were replaced with wood carvings and artistic painting. This decision was made due to the lack of funds that were going to the needs of the army at that time. The decoration of the auditorium based on Rossi's sketches was created by Okhta carvers, stucco masters N. Sipyagin and M. Sokolov, and artists the Dodonov brothers.
Nicholas I wanted to see the auditorium upholstered in red fabric. Rossi announced to the emperor that there was no such thing in stock, and if one waited for its purchase, it would not be possible to open the theater on time. Thus, Rossi achieved the realization of his plan - to decorate the auditorium with blue upholstery.
The grand opening of the theater took place on August 31, 1832. The next day the newspapers wrote:
"This huge, elegant, majestic building was built by the architect Rossi. The hall contains five tiers of boxes, except for benoirs. There are 242 chairs, located in nine tiers. Behind the chairs rise like an amphitheater, to the boxes of the first tier, the so-called seats behind the chairs (number 182 ), numbered benches, very comfortable for spectators and listeners... The performance opened with the tragedy “Pozharsky, or the Liberation of Moscow” and a Spanish divertissement, that is, various Spanish dances [Cit. from: 2, p. 530].
The theater was named after the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, Alexandra Feodorovna. Since then it has been called "Alexandrinka". The building became part of the unified architectural ensemble of Ostrovsky Square. Above the colonnade, the facade of the theater is decorated with a quadriga, ruled by the god of arts Apollo. The author of the sculpture is S. S. Pimenov. Apollo's quadriga was made by craftsmen from the Aleksandrovsky plant. For this work, masters Pyotr Katerinin and Pyotr Odintsov, as well as apprentice Rogozin, received silver medals on Annin ribbons, and master Andrei Malikov received a gold medal.
The Alexandrinsky Theater was initially under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Imperial Household. Its Rossi walls were painted light grey.
In the year of the opening of the Alexandrinsky Theater, on the basis of an imperial order, the management provided Carl Rossi with free and eternal use of a ticket to box No. 14 of the second tier. On January 14, 1837, the director of the imperial theaters, Gedeonov, reported to the Minister of the Court:
".... Mr. Rossi asked the management if she would like to take this box away from him, and pay him money for it.
Due to the unknown whether Mr. Rossi still has the right to make such a transfer of a lodge without special permission... I did not dare to accept his proposals.
But this box is occupied at almost all performances by various persons from the audience, and as admission into it... is always done with a special ticket issued to it by Mr. Rossi, it was discovered that with this ticket a person was sent to the theater, who sold it in the corridor I’m telling this in places about solitary people of all kinds... This person who was sent was not only confirmed many times not to do this again, but even... for this reason he was detained in the theater with the announcement that if he continued such actions in the future, then.. will be forwarded to the police.
Despite this, however, it turned out that during the performance that took place on January 10, seven people of various kinds were admitted into the box in the same way, of whom there was a quarrel and a fight between two, during the investigation of which the police turned out that among those sitting in this box there were nobles or officials, as well as serfs..." [Quoted from: 2, 548]
After this incident, Rossi was announced that the next similar incident would result in him being deprived of his ticket.
Once upon a time, on the days of theatrical premieres and benefit performances, a long line of carriages and carriages lined up at the entrance to Alexandrinka. Among the “golden youth” of that time, it was indecent to walk to the theater, so enterprising cab drivers specially parked their carriages near the theater, on Nevsky Prospekt. From there the young people drove up to their destination.
On the eve of 1849, Nicholas I wanted to update the decoration of the auditorium of the Alexandrinsky Theater. He ordered the four boxes near the stage to be enlarged and the hall's upholstery to be replaced with red, which was entrusted to Carlo Rossi, who created two alteration projects. This work was the last for the 72-year-old architect.
In Soviet times, the theater received the name "Academic Drama Theater named after A.S. Pushkin." With the acquisition of this name, he began to be called “Pushkinsky”.
Name: Russian State Academic Drama Theater named after. A. S. Pushkin (Alexandrinsky) (ru), Alexandrinsky Theater / Russian State Pushkin Academy Drama Theater (en)
Other names: Alexandrinsky Theater / Theater named after. Pushkin in St. Petersburg / Alexandrinka
Location: St. Petersburg (Russia)
Creation: 1827 - 1832
Style: Classicism
Architect(s): Carl Rossi
Architecture of the Alexandria Theater
Source:
G. B. Barkhin “Theatres”
Publishing House of the Academy of Architecture of the USSR
Moscow, 1947
In 1827-1832. In St. Petersburg, one of the most architecturally remarkable theaters in Europe for its time, the Alexandrinsky Theater, now the Pushkin Theater, was built according to Rossi’s design. In 1801, on the site of the current square of the Alexandria Theater, there was a small wooden theater built by Brenna, facing Nevsky Prospekt. In 1811, Thomas de Thomon designed a much larger theater on this site. The design of this theater has been preserved. The building is rectangular in shape with a ten-column portico of the main facade and a huge pediment decorated with sculpture. The area where the Tomon Theater is planned. has the same opening from Nevsky Prospekt as Rossi. but the theater building was erected by Tomon with a significantly smaller depth from Nevsky than Rossi’s. There is no background closing behind the theater in Tomon’s project. In addition, Tomon's theater area is significantly reduced due to the presence of a deep rounded pocket on the right side. Tom de Thomon's project was not implemented. The architect Maudui also made an attempt to design a theater on this site in 1817. Finally, in 1818, the theater project drawn up by Rossi was approved. The exceptional significance of this building for St. Petersburg is not limited only to the beautiful architecture of the building itself, but also lies in the amazing architectural environment that Rossi managed to create here in connection with the construction of his theater.
The main significance of the Rossi Theater in the history of theater architecture lies mainly in the excellent external architecture of the building. As for the general layout of the Alexandria Theater and the design of the auditorium, in this regard Rossi did not provide anything particularly new in comparison with the best European theaters of his time.
The plan of the Alexandria Theater does not devote any significant space to common areas; all amenities and all the luxury of decoration are concentrated exclusively in the front rooms. A small vestibule with two staircases offset from their axis, enclosed in blind cages and designed without much grandeur. The flights of these stairs are designed with a width of 2.13 m only to the height of one floor, at the level of the royal box, after which the flights narrow to 1.4 m. Above the vestibule in front of the royal box is the front foyer, 6.4 m high; the foyers serving the remaining tiers, with the same area, have a height of only 4 m. The foyers for the public are cramped, the buffets and restrooms are inconvenient for use. The auditorium of this theater deserves attention.
The hall accommodates 1,800 spectators, in plan it is horseshoe-shaped, and the outline of the curve is close to the French one: half a circle connected to a wide portal by straight segments. Just like in French theaters, the stalls located in front and the semicircular amphitheater in the back of the hall are designed. In addition to the benoir there are 5 tiers of boxes. The boxes, for better visibility, are tilted towards the stage. At one time, this technique was recommended by Seghezzi, but this only led to the inconvenience of using the boxes due to the slope of the floor and to the fall of the barriers, which was extremely unfavorable for visual perception. The rather flat ceiling of the hall, as well as the architecture of the portal, are of little interest. The individual designs of the box barriers and the treatment of the central box are very well executed.
The main interest and significance of the theater lies in its external architecture. The Alexandria Theater is one of the most perfect works of Russia and, in terms of its architecture, is undoubtedly the best theater in Europe. In the center of the front facade there is a loggia and an eight-column portico. The rear facade is designed in the same way, but instead of columns it is decorated with pilasters. The side facades have protruding eight-column pediment porticoes; the building is richly decorated with sculpture. The front and rear facades end with attics characteristic of Russia. The front attic is crowned with a quadriga with four horses. The auditorium and stage protrude above the overall volume of the theater in the form of a parallelepiped. Sculptural groups are installed above the protruding frames of the loggia. The lower part of the building is treated as a rusticated basement with very simply designed entrance doors. The side porticos form two covered entrances. Under the entablature, which covers the entire building, there is a wide sculptural frieze of garlands and masks.
In general, the architecture of the theater, despite its exceptional unity and integrity, is very rich and varied in detail.
- History of art. Volume five. Art of the 19th century: art of the peoples of Russia, France, England, Spain, USA, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia, Latin America , India, China and other countries. “ART”, Moscow
- Ikonnikov A.V., Stepanov G.P. Fundamentals of architectural composition Art, M. 1971
- "History of Russian Architecture" edited by S.V. Bezsonova State Publishing House of Literature on Construction and Architecture 1951
- G. B. Barkhin “Theaters” Publishing House of the Academy of Architecture of the USSR Moscow, 1947
- E.B. Novikov "Interior of public buildings (artistic problems)". - M.: Stroyizdat, 1984. - 272 p., ill.
Sources:
The building of the Alexandrinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. A historical building in the classicist style, part of the architectural ensemble of Ostrovsky Square. It was built according to the design of K.I. Rossi in 1828-1832. It houses one of the oldest theaters in the country - the Russian State Academic Drama Theater named after. A. S. Pushkin.
On the site of the current Alexandrinsky Theater there was originally a vast garden of the Anichkov Palace, on the territory of which there was, among other things, a wooden theater pavilion - an Italian opera group performed in it. In 1801, the pavilion was rebuilt, creating the Maly Theater on its basis. Over time, the growing cultural needs of St. Petersburg required the construction of a new, larger and more convenient stone theater building. Therefore, in 1818, the territory cut off from the park of the Anichkov Palace was transferred to the management of the theater directorate.
The Alexandrinsky Theater was named after the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, Alexandra, who patronized this form of art. The design of the theater building was directly linked to the layout of the architectural ensemble of modern Ostrovsky Square (after the opening of the theater it also became known as Alexandrinskaya Square). K.I. Rossi made the theater the main element of the entire square. The massive building in the classical Empire style had its main façade facing Nevsky Prospekt and its back facing Zodchego Rossi Street.
The front of the Alexandrinsky Theater was decorated with a multi-columned loggia of the Corinthian order, and the side facades were decorated in the form of eight-column porticoes. The entire perimeter of the upper part of the building is occupied by a sculptural frieze with antique theatrical masks and laurel garlands. At the ends of the theater in special niches there are statues of muses - Terpsichore, Melpomene, Clio and Thalia, and the attic of the main facade is crowned with the famous quadriga of Apollo (a carriage drawn by four horses) - the work of S. S. Pimenov.
The interior decoration of the theater building is also striking in its splendor. The auditorium was designed according to a modern multi-tier system with boxes, an amphitheater and a stalls. The capacity of the hall was designed for 1,700 people. The interiors were decorated with velvet, gilded carvings and wall paintings.
The roof of the Alexandrinsky Theater was an interesting design - the innovative idea of using metal arched trusses with cast iron stops was first used in construction. Moreover, the author of such a roof arrangement was K.I. Rossi himself. Another technological innovation of the building was the installation of steam heating in the theater.
As a token of gratitude to the architect for creating such a masterpiece, after the opening of the theater, K. I. Rossi received the lifetime use of a box in the Alexandrinsky Theater, tickets for which he then often sold to wealthy citizens.
The building of the Alexandrinsky Theater is included in the Unified State Register of Cultural Heritage Objects (historical and cultural monuments) of Russia.
Note to tourists:
A tour of the building will be of interest to theater lovers who want to attend a performance, to all other tourists interested in the architecture of the first half of the 19th century, and can also become one of the points of the excursion program while exploring neighboring attractions -
One of the oldest in Russia, the first state theater Alexandrinka always arouses special interest among the public and close attention of critics. It has a special regard: it must correspond to the high rank of the imperial theater, and it has maintained this mark with honor for more than 250 years.
Origin
The reign of Peter the Great's daughter Elizabeth was marked by a surge in cultural life in Russia. In particular, under her rule, the entertainment industry demonstrates rapid growth, many private theaters are created, touring troupes of foreign artists gather, playwrights write the first plays in Russian. There is also a need to create a state theater following the example of other European capitals. And on August 30, 1756, Empress Elizaveta Petrovna issued a decree establishing the first imperial theater in Russia. This is how the future Alexandrinka acquires its official status.
At first the theater was called Russian and served to present comedies and tragedies. The core of the troupe consists of people from Yaroslavl: who became the director of the troupe, and the actors Dmitrievsky, Volkov and Popov. Alexander Petrovich Sumarokov, who is considered the progenitor of Russian drama, becomes the playwright and director of the theater. The repertoire is based on French plays by Racine, Beaumarchais, Voltaire, Moliere, as well as works by Russian authors: Fonvizin, Sumarokov, Lukin, Knyazhnin. The main emphasis was on staging comedies.
Construction of a building
The theater was incredibly popular in St. Petersburg, but it did not have its own premises, it wandered to different venues, and it vitally needed a special building. But only 76 years after its founding, the Alexandrinsky Theater appeared, the address of which is known to any theatergoer today. There was originally a wooden building on that site, which was occupied by the Italian troupe Casassi. But later the theater collapsed, the premises were purchased by the treasury, and then severely damaged in a fire in 1811; the war with Napoleon distracted it from its problems.
But, despite the lack of funding, in 1810 Carl Rossi created a project for rebuilding the square. And only in the 30s, under Nicholas I, the question of building a theater seriously arose. Carl Rossi becomes the head of this process; he took the architects Tkachev and Galberg into his team. A lot of money was invested in the construction, and work began to boil: 5,000 piles were driven into the ground for the foundation of the building, but they still decided to save on decorations. Instead of copper and bronze, painting and wood carving were used.
The structure was erected in just 4 years, and on August 31, 1832, the Alexandrinsky Theater, whose address is Ostrovsky Square, 6, acquired a building built by the greatest architect of our time. Karl Rossi supervised not only the construction, but under his leadership the design of the square and the interior decoration of the hall was brought to life. The Alexandrinsky Theater, a photo of which is now in the album of every tourist who has visited St. Petersburg, is a monument to the great architect.
Architecture and interior
The Alexandrinsky Theater became part of a large-scale urban planning project in Russia. The front facade, facing Nevsky Prospekt, is made in the form of a deep loggia of 10 columns, on the attic of which the famous quadriga of Apollo is located. Along the frieze bordering the building are laurel garlands and theatrical masks. The side facades are decorated with porticoes of 8 columns. The Empire style building is a real pearl of St. Petersburg. The side street leading to the theater, now named after Rossi, was planned by the architect according to strict ancient laws. Its width is equal to the height of the buildings, and its length is increased exactly 10 times. The street is designed in such a way as to emphasize the splendor and grandeur of the architectural image of the building.
The emperor saw the interior only in red, but there was not enough fabric, and ordering it could greatly delay the opening. The architect managed to convince the ruler - this is how the theater received its now famous blue upholstery. The hall accommodated about 1,770 people, had 107 boxes, stalls, galleries and a balcony; its ingenious design gives it amazing acoustics.
Imperial period
In honor of the wife of Nicholas I, the theater was named Alexandrinsky. It becomes the center of stage life in Russia. Here the Russian theatrical tradition was born, which would later become the country's glory. After its opening, the Alexandrinsky Theater maintained its usual repertoire policy: mainly comedies and musical plays were staged here. But later the repertoire becomes more serious, it is here that the premieres of Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”, “The Government Inspector” by N.V. Gogol, and “The Thunderstorm” by Ostrovsky take place. Davydov, Savina, Komissarzhevskaya, Svobodin, Strepetova and many others worked in the theater during this period.
By the end of the 19th century, the Alexandrinsky Theater was on par with the best drama theaters in Europe in terms of the power of its troupe and productions.
The beginning of the 20th century was marked by a crisis that could not escape the Alexandrinsky Theater. In 1908, V. Meyerhold became the head of the group, who strives to create a new repertoire, but at the same time carefully preserves existing traditions. He stages unique performances: “Don Juan”, “Masquerade”, “The Thunderstorm”, which become masterpieces of the new theater school.
After the October Revolution in 1917, the theater was accused of glorifying imperial power, and difficult times followed. In 1920, it was renamed the Petrograd Academic Drama Theater, and it began to actively stage new drama: “At the Lower Depths” and “The Bourgeois” by M. Gorky, plays by Merezhkovsky, Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, Alexei Tolstoy and even Lunacharsky (People's Commissar of Education).
Thanks to the efforts of chief director Yuri Yuryev, the troupe has retained a galaxy of old masters, joined by actors of the new school: Yakov Malyutin, Leonid Vivien, Elena Karyakina. During the Second World War, the theater was evacuated to Novosibirsk, where the actors continued to perform performances. In 1944 the troupe returned to Leningrad.
The post-war and subsequent years were difficult for culture as a whole and for Alexandrinka as well. But famous performances still appear here, such as “Life in Bloom” based on the play by Dovzhenko, “Winners” based on B. Chirskov.
During the Soviet period, outstanding actors worked: V. Merkuryev, A. Freundlich, N. Marton, N. Cherkasov, I. Gorbachev and brilliant directors: L. Vivien, G. Kozintsev, N. Akimov, G. Tovstonogov. The theater does not lose its significance, despite ideological difficulties.
Back to basics
In 1990, the original name was returned, and the Alexandrinsky Theater reappeared in the world. The years of perestroika were not easy for it, but the theater managed not only to survive, but also to preserve the troupe and unique collections of scenery and props. Thanks to the efforts of Academician D.S. Likhachev, the Alexandrinsky Theater becomes a recognized national treasure. It is impossible to imagine St. Petersburg without this cultural institution. It is a symbol of Russian theater, along with the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky Theater.
Present day
The Alexandrinsky Theater, reviews of which are almost always written in enthusiastic terms, is trying to maintain its brand today. Since 2003, through His efforts, a theater festival of the same name has been held in Alexandrinka. Under the leadership of Fokin, a grandiose reconstruction of the theater took place. He ensured that the theater had a second stage on which experimental performances were staged. The best actors and directors work here. The theater sees its mission in preserving the traditions of the Russian theater school, supporting new trends and helping talents.
Famous theater productions
The Alexandrinsky repertoire always included the best plays; all the classics were staged here: Chekhov, Gorky, Ostrovsky, Griboedov. Today, the performances of the Alexandrinsky Theater are based on the best works of playwrights: “Nora” by G. Ibsen, “The Living Corpse” by L. Tolstoy, “Marriage” by N. Gogol, “The Double” by F. Dostoevsky. Each production becomes a global event. V. Fokin is very sensitive to repertoire policy; he says that there can be no random productions here. The theater's mission is to promote the classics, and the latter occupies a leading place in the Alexandrinsky playbill.
Alexandrinsky Theater Troupe
The Alexandrinsky Theater (St. Petersburg) is known all over the world. Today the troupe includes such stage veterans as N. Urgant, N. Marton, V. Smirnov, E. Ziganshina, as well as talented young people: S. Balakshin, D. Belov, A. Bolshakova,
By decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, a Russian theater was founded in St. Petersburg to present tragedies and comedies, from which the troupe of the Alexandrinsky Theater traces its history. Playwright Alexander Petrovich Sumarokov was appointed director of the theater. The troupe was led by actor Fyodor Grigorievich Volkov. The theater became the first state public theater in Russia and began its regular performances in the former Golovkinsky house on Vasilyevsky Island. Subsequently, the building was rebuilt for the Academy of Arts.
1759
By the highest order of the court department, the theater was assigned to the department of the Court Office.
1763
After the death of F.G. Volkov's troupe is headed by the famous Russian actor Ivan Afanasyevich Dmitrevsky.
1766
The theater troupe became part of the established imperial theater directorate.
1783
The Russian drama troupe begins its performances in the building of the newly built Bolshoi Stone Theater in St. Petersburg, later rebuilt for the St. Petersburg Conservatory.
1831
For the first time, the theater troupe performed the comedy by A.S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit". The role of Chatsky was played by V.A. Karatygin.
31 Aug 1832
The St. Petersburg Russian Drama Troupe begins its performances in a new building in the very center of St. Petersburg, designed by the great architect K.I. Russia. In honor of the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, Alexandra Feodorovna, the building is named the Alexandrinsky Theater. The building of the Alexandrinsky Theater is a masterpiece of world theatrical architecture and is protected by UNESCO.
1836
The premiere of “The Inspector General” by N.V. took place on the stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater. Gogol. The author himself took an active part in the production of the play. In the role of Khlestakov - N.O. Dur.
1836
The building of the Alexandrinsky Theater is assigned to the St. Petersburg Imperial Drama Troupe. At the same time, the troupe continues to perform at other theater venues in the capital, which are under the jurisdiction of the Directorate of Imperial Theaters.
1856
Staged at the Comedy Theater by A.V. Sukhovo-Kobylin “Krechinsky’s Wedding”. In the title role - V.V. Samoilov.
1859
For the first time, a play by A.N. was staged on the stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater. Ostrovsky "The Thunderstorm".
1867
For the first time, the tragedy of A.K. was staged on the theater stage. Tolstoy "The Death of Ivan the Terrible". In the role of Ivan the Terrible - P.V. Vasiliev.
1870
For the first time, the tragedy of A.S. was staged on the theater stage. Pushkin "Boris Godunov". In the role of Boris Godunov - L.L. Leonidov.
1879
For the first time, a comedy by I.S. was staged on the theater stage. Turgenev "A Month in the Country". The role of Verochka was played by M.G. Savina.
1889
For the first time, A.P.’s play was staged on the stage of the Imperial Theater. Chekhov "Ivanov". The title role was played by V.N. Davydov
1895
For the first time, a play by L.N. was staged on the Alexandrinsky stage. Tolstoy "The Power of Darkness". The role of Akulina was played by M.G. Savina
1896
For the first time, A.P.’s comedy was staged on the theater stage. Chekhov's "The Seagull". The role of Nina Zarechnaya was played by V.F. Komissarzhevskaya. The production went down in the history of world theater as “the failure of The Seagull.”
1902
On the stage of the theater, the tragedy of Euripides “Hippolytus” was staged in the translation by D.S. Merezhkovsky. The production was carried out by director Yu.E. Ozarovsky, scenery created by L.S. Bakst.
1910
On the Alexandrinsky stage Sun. E. Meyerhold staged Moliere's comedy Don Juan. Artist - A.Ya. Golovin. Starring Yu.M. Yuryev
1914
For the first time, a play by L.N. was staged on the theater stage. Andreev "Professor Storitsyn". In the title role - R.B. Apollonian.
February 1917
Premiere of the legendary performance Sun. E. Meyerhold and A.Ya. Golovin based on the drama by M.Yu. Lermontov "Masquerade". Music by A.K. Glazunov. The performance becomes the last production of the imperial stage and one of the most harmonious performances in the history of the world stage. Starring Yu.M. Yuryev. The play was in the theater's repertoire until July 1941.
After February 1917
The theater is part of the directorate of State Theaters.
Late October 1917 - March 1918
“Sabotage” of the Bolshevik government, the Theater stops performances and boycotts the new government.
March 1918
"Autonomization" of former imperial theaters. For the first time, the theater began to be called “Alexandrinsky” (with the prefix “former”) in relation to the Petrograd state drama troupe.
1919
The theater receives the status of “academic” and is called the Petrograd State Academic Drama Theater (formerly Alexandrinsky)
1920
The theater is part of the Association of Academic Theaters.
The theater is named the State Academic Drama Theater (Gosdrama).
1922-1928
The director of the theater is the outstanding Russian actor and theater figure Yuri Mikhailovich Yuryev
1928-1933
The theater is directed by the prominent Soviet director Nikolai Vasilyevich Petrov.
1931
“Fear” by A. N. Afinogenov. Staged by N.V. Petrova. In the role of Professor Borodin - I.N. Singers.
1932
The centenary of the building of the Alexandrinsky Theater (then the Leningrad State Drama Theater) is celebrated as a major anniversary of the socio-political and cultural life of the country. At the same time, following the ideological line of the then government, seventy-six years are arbitrarily cut off from the creative history of the first state drama troupe of Russia.
1933-1936
The artistic director of the theater is the outstanding actor, director and teacher Boris Mikhailovich Sushkevich.
1934
"Boris Godunov" A.S. Pushkin. Staged by B.M. Sushkevich. In the role of Boris Godunov - N.K. Simonov.
1936-1938
The artistic director of the theater was the famous Soviet director Sergei Ernestovich Radlov.
1936
“Forest” by A.N. Ostrovsky. Staged by V.P. Kozhich. In the role of Neschastlivtsev - Yu.M. Yuryev.
1937
In the year of the centenary of the death of A.S. Pushkin Leningrad State Drama was named after A.S. Pushkin.
1938-1966
The artistic direction of the theater is carried out by the outstanding actor, director and teacher Leonid Sergeevich Vivien.
1940
“The Noble Nest” by I.S. Turgenev. Staged by A.A. Musil. In the role of Lavretsky - N.K. Simonov.
1941-1944
Theater in evacuation. The troupe works in Novosibirsk, on the stage of the Red Torch Theater. The Leningrad Musical Comedy Theater performs on the stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater during the siege.
1950
“Living Corpse” L.N. Tolstoy. Staged by V.P. Kozhich and A.N. Dawson. In the role of Fedya Protasov - N.K. Simonov.
1955
"Optimistic tragedy" Sun. Vishnevsky. Staged by G.A. Tovstonogov. In the role of Leader - Yu.V. Tolubeev, in the role of Commissioner - O.Ya. Lebzak
1956
"Player" F.M. Dostoevsky. Staged by L.S. Vivien and A.N. Dawson. In the role of Alexey Ivanovich - V.I. Chestnokov.
1958
"Running" M.A. Bulgakov. Staged by L.S. Vivienne. In the role of Khludov - N.K. Cherkasov.
1962
“Little tragedies” by A.S. Pushkin. Staged by L.S. Vivienne. In the role of Baron - N.K. Cherkasov, in the role of Salieri - N.K. Simonov.
1974
“The Adventures of Chichikov, or Dead Souls” by N.V. Gogol. Staged by N.M. Sheiko. In the role of Chichikov - I.O. Gorbachev.
1975-1991
The artistic director of the theater is the outstanding artist and teacher I.O. Gorbachev.
1975
“Elegy” by P. Pavlovsky. Production by I.S. Olschwanger. In the role of Turgenev - B.A. Freundlich.
1978
"Ivanov" A.P. Chekhov. Production by A.O. Sagalchik. In the role of Ivanov - I.O. Gorbachev.
1981
The 225th anniversary of the Russian-Alexandrinsky-Pushkin Theater is widely celebrated.
1991
The name Alexandrinsky is returned to the theater. The official name of the theater: Russian State Academic Drama Theater named after. A.S. Pushkin (Alexandrinsky).
1994
“Monsieur Georges. Russian drama" by M.Yu. Lermontov. Staged by A.A. Praudina
1997
“The Tale of Tsar Peter and his murdered son Alexei” by F. Gorenstein. Staged by A.V. Galibina
1998
“P.S. Kapellmeister Johannes Kreisler, its author and their beloved Julia: Cadenzas on themes from the works of E.-T.-A. Hoffman and V.-A. Mozart." Staged by G.M. Kozlova. The performance was awarded the State Prize of Russia.
2002
The theater enters into a creative agreement with the Center. Sun. Meyerhold on the implementation of the joint creative program “New Life of Tradition”. The artistic director of the program is the outstanding Russian director, head of the center V.V. Fokin
October 5, 2002
V.V. Fokin performs his first production on the theater stage - the original version of the comedy by N.V. Gogol's "The Inspector General", which opens the creative program "New Life of Tradition". In the role of Khlestakov - A.V. Devotchenko. The performance was awarded the State Prize of Russia.
2003
2005
“Double” by F.M. Dostoevsky. Staged by V.V. Fokina. In the role of Golyadkin the Elder - V.V. Gvozditsky.
2006
The 250th anniversary of the Alexandrinsky Theater is celebrated as the anniversary of the first state theater of Russia and the beginning of state policy in the field of domestic performing arts. A large-scale reconstruction and restoration of the historical theater building is being carried out. The historical exhibition “Museum of Russian Drama” opens. The International Theater Festival "Alexandrinsky" is being held for the first time.
As part of the creative program “New Life of Tradition,” Greek director Theodoros Terzopoulos is staging Sophocles’ tragedy “Oedipus the King.” This performance opened the First International Theater Festival "Alexandrinsky".
“Living Corpse” L.N. Tolstoy. Staged by V.V. Fokina. In the role of Fedya Protasov - S.I. Parshin.
2007
“The Seagull” by A.P. Chekhov. Staged by K. Lupa (Poland). In the Role of Nina Zarechnaya - Yu.G. Marchenko.
2007
“Ivans” based on “The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich” and other works by N.V. Gogol. Staged by A.A. Mighty. In the role of Ivan Ivanovich - N.S. Marton, in the role of Ivan Nikiforovich - V.F. Smirnov.
2008
“Marriage” N.V. Gogol. Staged by V.V. Fokina. In the role of Podkolesin - I.N. Volkov.
2009
"Xenia. Love Story" by V. Levanov. Staged by V.V. Fokina. In the role of Ksenia - Ya.D. Lakoba.
2010
"Hamlet" by W. Shakespeare. Staged by V.V. Fokina. In the role of Hamlet - D.O. Lysenkov.
2011
“Your Gogol” according to N.V. Gogol. Staged by V.V. Fokina. In the role of Gogol - I.N. Volkov.
2012
“Liturgy Zero” by F.M. Dostoevsky. Staged by V.V. Fokina. In the role of Alexei Ivanovich - A. Shagin.
May 15, 2013
The new stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater opens.
August 2014
The Alexandrinsky Theater received the status of National Treasure
2014
“Masquerade” by M.Yu. Lermontov and Vs. Meyerhold. Staged by V.V. Fokina. In the role of Arbenin - P.M. Semak and D.O. Lysenkov.
August 2015
The first tour of the Alexandrinsky Theater in China. Valery Fokin's play The Inspector General based on the comedy of the same name by N.V. Gogol is shown in Beijing on the stage of the Beijing People's Theater and in Shanghai on the stage of the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
2016
"Today. 2016" K.V. Fokina. Staged by V.V. Fokina. (New scene). Starring P.M. Semak.
