Mariinsky Theater Festival has been undoubtedly a sensational cultural event in 2016.

Mariinsky Theater Festival, held by Wu Promotion and the Mariinsky Theater, has been undoubtedly a sensational cultural event in 2016. In October and November, the Mariinsky Opera, the Mariinsky Ballet and the Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra made a tour in four cities of China (Shanghai, Harbin, Guangzhou and Tianjin).

The performing arts gala, which lasted for a month, greatly impacted the cultural field of China. It is worth to be remembered not only because of the scale (over 600 people participated) and the programs (16 performances of Russian classical opera, ballet and symphony concerts), but also the long journey through North and South China (with an estimated distance over 5,000 km).

Shanghai Grand Theatre / October 18-25, 2016
Mariinsky Theater Festival was opened on October 18, 2016 in Shanghai Grand Theatre with Tchaikovsky's opera Pique Dame. Ballet Romeo and Juliet and concerts with programs of Russian classical works (including the children’s symphony Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev) were also performed in a week.

Harbin Grand Theatre / October 26-27, 2016
War and Peace, an epic opera composed by Prokofiev, was staged in Harbin Grand Theatre on October 26 to 27 by the Mariinsky Opera. It was the first performance of the production in Asia, which attracted audiences from all over China. Mr. Wei Ding, Vice Minister of Culture, and Mr. Xiaogang Ye, chairman of the Chinese Musicians Association met artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre Valery Gergiev in Harbin and watched the Asian premiere of War and Peace.

Guangzhou Opera House / November 1-6, 2016
The Mariinsky Ballet staged Romeo and Juliet (choreographed by Leonid Lavrovsky in 1940) and the classical ballet Swan Lake at Guangzhou Opera House on November 1 to 6. It is worth mentioning that Guangzhou Opera House had never staged the Mariinsky version of Swan Lake before. The three performances in two days greatly fascinated the local audience

Tianjin Grand Theatre / October 28 – November 9, 2016
The Mariinsky Ballet was invited to the 3rd Tianjin International Opera and Dance Festival. The performance of Romeo and Juliet on November 9 in Tianjin was also the last show of Mariinsky Theater Festival, marking the successful ending of the month-long performing arts gala.