The Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg is one of the most prestigious opera and ballet venues in the world. Built in 1860 and named in honour of Maria Alexandrovna of Hesse-Darmstadt, wife of Czar Alexander II, it is home to the famous Mariinsky Ballet as well as numerous international stars and ensembles. After the turn of the millennium it was painstakingly restored; and since 2013, St. Petersburg’s Theatre Square has been crowned with the "Mariinsky II" an imposing new arts and performance venue. At its inauguration on May 2, 2013, the highly gifted conductor Valery Gergiev led a veritable who's who of the classical music world. Featuring gems from opera, orchestral music and ballet, and with modern dance interludes, the programme encompassed the history of the legendary venue from its beginnings to the present day. This broad historical span was symbolically represented by a bridge connecting the Mariinsky Theatre and the Mariinsky II. Experience this unique performance, in which stars including Anna Netrebko, Plácido Domingo, Olga Borodina, Vladimir Shklyarov and René Pape supported by the Mariinsky Theatre choir, orchestra and ballet celebrate the spirit of this illustrious establishment.