Opera/Ballet Tickets

[Neuhoftraveler]

We will be in SPB on a cruise, and would like to attend an opera or ballet performance at Mariinsky or Mikhailovsky. We arre aware that brokers such as operaandballet.com and balletandopera.com charge high mark-ups. But do the private tour operators often recommended here (Anastasia and so forth) also do so? Will they provide the necessary transportation/escort service to the theatre if they do not also provide the tickets? Before asking them directly, we'd like to know what others have experienced.

[Goldiedog]

We have provisionally booked ballet with Alla, they will arrange collection from the ship to the ballet and return us to the ship, we are awaiting choices of which ballets are available, all for $75 each.

[roberts2005]

Are the shows real ballet, or ballet for tourists?

[World Gallery]

Are the shows real ballet, or ballet for tourists?

 

The ballets are not just for tourists, though there will be a lot of tourists there in the summer months. I went in the fall and the people sitting next to us were from Finland. They had taken the ferry over. I saw a variety though. Maybe in St. Pete you there will be a lot of tourists just because it is St. Pete but ballet is a very important part of Russian culture.

I have read that the "top tier" ballet companies tour in the summer months so you may not have the "top tier" ballet company but I have seen a few ballets in St. Pete at different times of the year and I highly recommend seeing one (I couldn't tell the difference). I was in awe for all of them! Russian ballet is taken very seriously. You can read about the training that goes into it which will make you appreciate everything you are seeing even more. First see what is playing on your date and then ask your tour company what they suggest. You can then decide if you want to go for the best theater experience or the ballet you would like the most. Just the experience of being in some of the amazing theaters is reason enough!

We are there in June and some of the theaters haven't announced their playlists yet so we are waiting to see all options.

 

I have been to the folk dancing show and that was just for tourists for sure. It was enjoyable though.

[kazu]

The ballets are not just for tourists, though there will be a lot of tourists there in the summer months. I went in the fall and the people sitting next to us were from Finland. They had taken the ferry over. I saw a variety though. Maybe in St. Pete you there will be a lot of tourists just because it is St. Pete but ballet is a very important part of Russian culture.

I have read that the "top tier" ballet companies tour in the summer months so you may not have the "top tier" ballet company but I have seen a few ballets in St. Pete at different times of the year and I highly recommend seeing one (I couldn't tell the difference). I was in awe for all of them! Russian ballet is taken very seriously. You can read about the training that goes into it which will make you appreciate everything you are seeing even more. First see what is playing on your date and then ask your tour company what they suggest. You can then decide if you want to go for the best theater experience or the ballet you would like the most. Just the experience of being in some of the amazing theaters is reason enough!

We are there in June and some of the theaters haven't announced their playlists yet so we are waiting to see all options.

 

I have been to the folk dancing show and that was just for tourists for sure. It was enjoyable though.

 

Asha offers both a folkloric show and a ballet - we were leaning towards the folkloric show until I saw this post:eek: Was this a ship excursion you went on or was it with one of the private tour companies? I ask as I find the ship's stuff is always for tourists and we want to go to something authentic.;) If all the folk dancing is for tourists only and not recommended then we will definitely do the ballet instead. Thanks for your help:D

[Neuhoftraveler]

Kazu -- For what it's worth, friends of ours went to the folkloric show in 2010 and left at half-time if not before. They found it jam-packed with busloads of tourists, many if not most of whom were constantly on their feet snapping away with their cameras. The food buffet they found skimpy and poor quality.

 

A recent poster on TripAdvisor said that both her husband and the man next to him snored through much of the performance, and that for the others in her party, the show was "twice as long as they could withstand."

 

On the other hand, our friends' local guide, whom they just loved otherwise, had encouraged them to go, saying that previous clients/customers just like them had enjoyed the show. (Our friends were traveling independently, so I have no idea whether the show tickets were sold to them by the guide.)

[World Gallery]

Asha offers both a folkloric show and a ballet - we were leaning towards the folkloric show until I saw this post:eek: Was this a ship excursion you went on or was it with one of the private tour companies? I ask as I find the ship's stuff is always for tourists and we want to go to something authentic.;) If all the folk dancing is for tourists only and not recommended then we will definitely do the ballet instead. Thanks for your help:D

 

I was with a mission group three times and the other time was when I adopted my kids, so really, we were independent. I have been to other parts of Russia where there weren't many tourists (probably none the time of year I went) but there was ballet theater and a ballet every night, packed with Russians (but there wasn't a folk dancing show). I would say if you want something that real Russians cherish, I would choose the ballet. I can't imagine being disappointed! Also, if you attend a performance at the Mariinsky Theater, read the history. It is so entwined with Russian history. There are other theaters though that are just as stunning. My favorite memory is of seats we had in one of the older, ornate theaters (can't remember the name). They were box seats. A little babushka had this old skelton key and she had to let us in and out of the box seats compartment. She stood guard at the door.

http://www.mariinsky.ru/en/about/history_theatre/mariinsky_theatre/

 

I have to agree with what the other poster said about the folk dancing show. To us, it felt very "fake" and put on for tourists but again, it could be enjoyable, just not the same experience in any way. It is like comparing apples and oranges.

[kazu]

Kazu -- For what it's worth, friends of ours went to the folkloric show in 2010 and left at half-time if not before. They found it jam-packed with busloads of tourists, many if not most of whom were constantly on their feet snapping away with their cameras. The food buffet they found skimpy and poor quality.

 

A recent poster on TripAdvisor said that both her husband and the man next to him snored through much of the performance, and that for the others in her party, the show was "twice as long as they could withstand."

 

On the other hand, our friends' local guide, whom they just loved otherwise, had encouraged them to go, saying that previous clients/customers just like them had enjoyed the show. (Our friends were traveling independently, so I have no idea whether the show tickets were sold to them by the guide.)

 

Thanks there's no food buffet with ours so, I am assuming not the same thing. I'll try to do a bit of research to make sure. Appreciate the input very much:D

[kazu]

I was with a mission group three times and the other time was when I adopted my kids, so really, we were independent. I have been to other parts of Russia where there weren't many tourists (probably none the time of year I went) but there was ballet theater and a ballet every night, packed with Russians (but there wasn't a folk dancing show). I would say if you want something that real Russians cherish, I would choose the ballet. I can't imagine being disappointed! Also, if you attend a performance at the Mariinsky Theater, read the history. It is so entwined with Russian history. There are other theaters though that are just as stunning. My favorite memory is of seats we had in one of the older, ornate theaters (can't remember the name). They were box seats. A little babushka had this old skelton key and she had to let us in and out of the box seats compartment. She stood guard at the door.

http://www.mariinsky.ru/en/about/history_theatre/mariinsky_theatre/

 

I have to agree with what the other poster said about the folk dancing show. To us, it felt very "fake" and put on for tourists but again, it could be enjoyable, just not the same experience in any way. It is like comparing apples and oranges.

 

Thanks very much - we've seen so much ballet we were leaning towards the folk show but I think we had better lean the other way from the sounds of things:eek:

[greyhound101]

We saw Eugene Onegin at the Mikhailofsky and it was great. I bought the tickets directly from the opera house on their website online. Picked up tickets 30 minutes before performance. Had 3 rd row center seats. We toured with SPB tours they took us from tour to the opera house. Our guide found us a great restaurant almost next to the theater. Our SPB driver picked us up when the opera ended and drove us back to the boat. We had a great time seeing our favorite opera in all places, St Petersburg. We have seen Onegin in 6 different theaters in 6 different productions and this was by far the best. Even better than the Met which I have seen 3 to es.

[Cruisetoast]

We purchased our ballet tickets online "commission-free" from Mikhailovsky's web site. We paid by credit card and received the electronic tickets by email a few minutes later. You can also buy Mariinsky tickets online. But no electronic tickets, so you will have to pick them up at the theater before the performance, or a tour company will have to pick it up, probably for a handling fee.

[dalgirl]

Sorry, do not mean to highjack, but...The ballet is performing Romeo and Juliet the night we will be in SPB. My first inclination was to see the Russian ballet in Russia, then we had thought it better to attend the folk show, but now I am not so sure. Any thoughts?

[World Gallery]

Sorry, do not mean to highjack, but...The ballet is performing Romeo and Juliet the night we will be in SPB. My first inclination was to see the Russian ballet in Russia, then we had thought it better to attend the folk show, but now I am not so sure. Any thoughts?

 

You are so lucky! In my opinion, there is absolutely no comparsion. What theater?

[dalgirl]

The Mariinsky Theater as part of the 20th annual Stars of the White Nights" music festival. DH is wanting to balk at 3+ hours of ballet:confused:

[World Gallery]

The Mariinsky Theater as part of the 20th annual Stars of the White Nights" music festival. DH is wanting to balk at 3+ hours of ballet:confused:

 

This is such a great opportunity and an amazing theater. I know it is sometimes hard for guys to sit through this. My husband is the same way, though after the fact, he was so glad he went (We saw the Nutcracker in 2000 at the Mariinsky). I know the tickets are expensive but maybe he can leave at intermission if he has had enough of it, then meet you later. Maybe there is an internet cafe close by.

We go in June and our only opportunity to see a ballet in the Mariinsky theater is on a Saturday at noon, the Vaganova graduation performance. I am splitting up that day. My daughers and I are going to the ballet and my husband and boys are going to either the Artillery Museum or Naval Museum, which aren't that far away, about 2km. Just something to consider.

[dalgirl]

DH suggested that I see if our tour company has a group going that night and go with them while he stays on the ship. But he is willing to see the folk show, so I may just settle for that. Who knows, I might not be able to sit through 3 hours myself after touring all day:)

[gdayhoff]

We have been to St Petersburg twice.On our first visit we saw Swan Lake at the the Mariinsky Theater.I thought it was good but it was long and the theater hot(no a/c).Our second visit three years ago we went to a folklore show at Nicholas Palace.Thought it was very good.If I were to go to St Petersburg again I would take the folklore show over the ballet.I'm a male which may explain my preference.Our tour agencies(Red October and SPB-Tours) got the tickets for us.One thing I can about the ballet at the Mariinsky theater you will be seeing the best and probably for most of us a chance in a lifetime.

Enjoy

[dalgirl]

thanks gdayhoff - I think I will stick with DH and the folklore show - I know that I will enjoy either one:)

[gdayhoff]

Hi dalgirl---I forgot to add that they are several folklore shows in St Pete. Try to get the one at Nicholas Palace.Also I might add that my group consisted of my family,ages 78 to 15.Everybody enjoyed it so I think it would appeal to all ages

Enjoy

[JerseyJaguar]

I'm going to the modern ballet while I'm in Saint Petersburg. The night we're there the normal tourist ballet of Swan Lake isn't happening (I looked up what was happening and it's some sort of SPB day), so my tour guide gave me the option of going to something else. I'm letting her take care of the ticket and the transportation, it's just easier.

[Coolcruise02]

We will be in SPB on a Tuesday, July 17th. How can I find out what ballets are on the night?

Thanks for any help!

[Neuhoftraveler]

Having gotten plenty of help myself here, let me pass along what I've learned, mostly from the kindness of locals on TripAdvisor, for our own upcoming trip:

 

There are (at least) two levels of ballet in SPB, the one or two top-class venues (Mariinsky and Mikhailovsky) and a number of tourist-oriented venues. The schedules, in English, are on their respective websites (www.mariinsky.ru/en, and www.mikhailovsky.ru/en). You can select your own seats, and buy your own tickets, online at those websites, and ask your tour operator to provide a car, driver, and documentation to get you to and from the venue. Prices are higher at the Mariinsky, lower at the Mikhailovsky, and the car service will be about $100.

 

The tourist-oriented ballet venues are the ones featured on the tour operators' evening programs. The venues and programs are listed on commercial ticket-broker websites such as balletandopera.com and operaandballet.com, although I've seen some suggestion that the listings may not be reliable (meaning correct). Those brokers charge a huge mark-up (often 100% or more). Everyone advises not to buy through them.

 

As to the two top venues, the programs in July will not be the regular performers there, but rather may be touring companies renting the facility. (This is not to say they're anything but good.) The exception would be the Mariinsky's "White Nights" festival, which runs from late May into July but I'm not sure how far into the month.

 

I hope this is a correct summary, and that it's helpful. I'm sure others will correct me if I have any of this wrong.

[dalgirl]

Thank you hoftraveler for this additional and very detailed followup - we will look into the Mikhailovsky performance.

[Coolcruise02]

As to the two top venues, the programs in July will not be the regular performers there, but rather may be touring companies renting the facility. (This is not to say they're anything but good.) The exception would be the Mariinsky's "White Nights" festival, which runs from late May into July but I'm not sure how far into the month.

 

Thanks for the info! Are you saying that July is like the "off season"? We are there on July 17th.

[kazu]

Having gotten plenty of help myself here, let me pass along what I've learned, mostly from the kindness of locals on TripAdvisor, for our own upcoming trip:

 

There are (at least) two levels of ballet in SPB, the one or two top-class venues (Mariinsky and Mikhailovsky) and a number of tourist-oriented venues. The schedules, in English, are on their respective websites (www.mariinsky.ru/en, and www.mikhailovsky.ru/en). You can select your own seats, and buy your own tickets, online at those websites, and ask your tour operator to provide a car, driver, and documentation to get you to and from the venue. Prices are higher at the Mariinsky, lower at the Mikhailovsky, and the car service will be about $100.

 

The tourist-oriented ballet venues are the ones featured on the tour operators' evening programs. The venues and programs are listed on commercial ticket-broker websites such as balletandopera.com and operaandballet.com, although I've seen some suggestion that the listings may not be reliable (meaning correct). Those brokers charge a huge mark-up (often 100% or more). Everyone advises not to buy through them.

 

As to the two top venues, the programs in July will not be the regular performers there, but rather may be touring companies renting the facility. (This is not to say they're anything but good.) The exception would be the Mariinsky's "White Nights" festival, which runs from late May into July but I'm not sure how far into the month.

 

I hope this is a correct summary, and that it's helpful. I'm sure others will correct me if I have any of this wrong.

 

Excellent info - thanks so much for sharing with us:)