TOUR DESIGNS, INC., Washington, DC.

MARIINSKY BALLET COMPANY

The Mariinsky Ballet Company is closely linked with the entire history of the development of Russian choreographic art which began more than two and a half centuries ago.

An important role in the establishment and evolution of Russian ballet was played by foreign masters. At the end of the 18th century, Franz Gilferding, Gasparo Angiolini, Giuseppe Canziani and Charles le Picqué were all working in St Petersburg.

Already in the 1790´s, however, the first Russian ballet teacher, Ivan Valberkh, came to the fore. The main sphere of his activities was in a small mime ballet company. He sought to make his productions rich in subject matter and to create recognisable, life like images.

RIGA OPERA HOUSE

The National Opera in Riga that houses both the Riga Ballet and the Riga Opera was one of the first major buildings that were completely renovated when Riga and Latvia got back its freedom in 1991.

The decision brightly reflected the priorities in Riga. People wanted a new birth to one of Europe’s most beautiful opera houses. Thanks to elite ballet and music schools, an extraordinary high level of singing and music in the country as well as a dynamic leadership at the National Opera.
The Opera today is ranked among Europe’s top Opera houses.

BOLSHOI BALLET
Bolshoi Ballet , one of the principal ballet companies of Russia; part of the Bolshoi Theater, which also includes Russia's premier opera company. The Bolshoi Ballet began as a dancing school for the Moscow Orphanage in 1773.