The Mariinsky Ballet

The Mariinsky Ballet, a classical ballet company based at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was founded in the 18th century. Originally known as the Imperial Russian Ballet, the Mariinsky is one of the world's leading ballet companies, alongside its Russian compatriot the Bolshoi Ballet. Internationally, the Mariinsky is also known by its former Soviet name, the Kirov Ballet; despite later name changes the Mariinsky Ballet remains linked to the Vaganova Ballet Academy as its the parent company. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0dXgSxIV84 The Vaganova Ballet Academy is a leading international ballet school. It was originally known as the Imperial Theatre School, established in 1738. It was the predecessor of today's Vaganova Ballet Academy to create a school which would train young dancers to form the first Russian ballet company. The first group of students went on to form the Kirov, what would become the predecessor of today's Mariinsky Ballet. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Imperial Russian Ballet soon rose to prominence and went on to see some of the most influential and famous names in ballet history pass through its ranks, including Marie Taglioni, Enrico Cecchetti, Jules Perrot, and Carlotta Grisi. Last year the Mariinsky Ballet announced plans for its London season in the summer of 2014, running from 28 July to 14 August at the Royal Opera House, opening with the classic tale Romeo and Juliet. The company will also dance a triple bill of The Firebird, Marguerite and Armand, Swan Lake and a George Balanchine double bill of A Midsummer Night’s Dream – the first time the company has danced this work in the UK – and Apollo. The season will end with the London premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella, a production eagerly awaited by London audiences.