Cultural programme

St Petersburg Theatres
St Petersburg State Academic Mikhailovsky Theatre
1, Arts Square (Ploshchad Iskusstv)
Concert by the National Philharmonic of Russia conducted by Vladimir Spivakov

For five years since its foundation in 2003, the National Philharmonic of Russia has become one of the most renowned musical ensembles in Russia. The conductor is Russia's Distinguished Artist, Maestro Vladimir Spivakov - a musician of the highest standard, an acclaimed violinist and orchestra conductor who has achieved worldwide fame.
The exquisite concert programme will combine works by composers of different styles and eras: Bellini and Rossini, Verdi and Puccini, Rachmaninov and Shostakovich. Talented performers such as soprano Hibla Gerzmava, baritone Vasily Ladyuk, pianist Denis Matsuev, and scholarship holders from the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation - Sergei Finoedov and Mikhail Mering - will all be taking part in the performance at the Mikhailovsky Theatre together with the orchestra and Maestro Spivakov.

19.00-21.00

Mikhailovsky Castle
2, Sadovaya Street
Gala performance of international fashion arts stars ‘Show of Nations'

For the first time, the Mikhailovsky (Engineer) Castle in the heart of the city is to be an original platform for a dazzling and unprecedented gala performance of world fashion stars from the podiums of Italy, France, UK, Germany, Japan, US, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Israel. Russia will be represented by St Petersburg stylist Anna Mikhailova.

20.00-22.00

St Petersburg State Theatre OF Musical Comedy
13, Italian Street (Italyanskaya Ulitsa)
Ballet ‘Swan Lake' by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky performed by the Russian Ballet Theatre, directed by Alexander Bruskin.

21.00-23.30

Gift from the Forum to guests and residents OF St Petersburg
Roger Waters (PINK FLOYD) Show
Palace Square
THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Roger Waters, one of the group founders, bass guitarist, vocalist and author of many of Pink Floyd's legendary songs, coming to St Petersburg with his programme ‘The Dark Side of the Moon'. Special arrangements are being made at present to adjust the show exclusively for St Petersburg. Gigantic video screens, a powerful sound system, unique decorations and special effects are all treats in store for the concert audience.
The programme will include greatest hits from Pink Floyd.

19.00-21.00

St Petersburg State Academic Mikhailovsky Theatre
1, Arts Square (Ploshchad Iskusstv)
Premiere of Aram Khachaturian's ballet ‘Spartacus'

The premiere performance at the Mikhailovsky Theatre of Aram Khachaturian's ballet ‘Spartacus' directed by Georgy Kovtun. The production contains some spectacular scenes of gladiatorial battles, Bacchus orgies and ecstatic feasts. This is one of the most masculine ballets permeated with pathos and heroism of gladiators and Roman legionaries, staged with a unique new feature of combats fought between female gladiators. The stage will be fringed on three sides by a back curtain measuring 36-metres. Several hundred different costumes have been created exclusively for this ballet. And there is one more unique feature of this production: the soloists on stage will face serious competitors - from real life tigresses.

19.00-23.30

State Academic Mariinsky theatre
1, Theatre Square (Teatralnaya Ploshchad)
Ballet ‘Sleeping Beauty' by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
(choreographed by S. Vikhorev)

20.00-22.00

Alexandrinsky Theatre
2, Ostrovsky Square
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ‘Swan Lake'
(Production of Leonid Jacobson Ballet Theatre)

21.00-00.00

Reception given by the Governor of St Petersburg
(in decorations for the international festival ‘THE IMPERIAL GARDENS OF RUSSIA')
Entrance from 2a, Griboedov Canal

Imagination, improvisation, and a medley of styles - everything that is known as ‘fusion' - will be a guiding principle behind the concert to be held within the framework of this reception given by St Petersburg's Governor. Every area of the academic arts will be represented by the most brilliant masters in their respective fields:
Denis Matsuev, Sergei Stadler - the leading lights in the world of classical music;
Ilze Liepa of the Boris Eifman Ballet Theatre - Russian ballet stars;
Igor Butman - one of Russia's leading jazzmen.
A stunning eclectic band - Terem Quartet... There can be no doubt that the performance of each and every one of these artists will bring a great deal of genuine and lasting pleasure to the audience.

00.30-01.30

Evening light & laser show for Forum participants and St Petersburg residents
Strelka ( Vasilievsky Island Spit)

An unforgettable show will be held in one of St Petersburg most picturesque sites - the spit of Vasilievsky Island. A synthesis of light and music, a symphony of stillness in the waters of the Neva River and astounding laser beams. Wonderful impressions combining the images and sounds seen and heard during this most remarkable show will stay engrained forever in the memory of everyone who sees it.

19.00-21.00

CONCERT CELEBRATING THE 150^TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL
Isaakievskaya pl., 4

Chamber Choir of Smolny Cathedral (Artistic Director - Vladimir Begletsov)

To celebrate the 150^th anniversary of St Isaac's Cathedral, a unique concert is to be held in the cathedral for the first time, specially for participants and guests of the Forum, featuring Yevgeny Akimov and Gennady Bezzubenkov, solists with the Mariinsky Theatre; the St Petersburg Children's Television and Radio Choir, Artistic Director Stanislav Gribkov; and the Chamber Choir of Smolny Cathedral, one of the most celebrated choral ensembles in St. Petersburg and winner of many prizes at international competitions and festivals, with Vladimir Begletsov as Artistic Director, himself recognized as an Honoured Artist of Russia. Devotional music by Russian composers such as Bortnyansky, Grechaninov, Tchaikovsky and Sviridov will ring out in the interior of one of the most amazing cathedrals in Russia.

19.00-21.00

MIKHAILOVSKY THEATRE
Ploshchad Iskusstv, 1

Benefice Concert for ballet soloist Denis Matvienko featuring stars of the Bolshoy and Mariinsky Theatres

Denis Matvienko is the winner of three dance Grand-Prix: Luxembourg (1997), Budapest, International Nureyev Ballet Competition (1998) and the 10^th International Competition for Ballet Dancers and Choreographers in Moscow (2005). Denis was also awarded the gold medal and Vatslav Nijinsky prize in Japan. Currently, this Ukranian dancer has contracts booked three years in advance. This extraordinary man's ability to devote himself to his work is astonishing. How does he manage to prepare more and more new parts with such a tightly-filled schedule? Denis Matvienko avoids any hint of artificiality with his skill and natural style, there is no false pathos, no insincere insight. His heroes are real live people. The temperament of each character always reflects his own personal national characteristics. Remaining within the classics, Denis delicately synthesizes the wealth of folk choreography with traditional forms of classical dance.

21.00-22.30

MARIINSKY THEATRE
Teatralnaya pl., 1

Gala concert with Ulyana Lopatkina

Evening entertainment programme 4-ROOM PARTY
Central platform of the Forum (Lenexpo),
Open terrace on the shore of the Gulf of Finland.

Mega Show where Russian and foreign stars are involved, as well as worldwide known attractions: Wheel of Death and Motosphere.

12.00-14.00

FORUM - FOR THE CHILDREN
Children's entertainment programme. Concert.