The building of the Alexandrinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. A historical building in the classicist style, part of the architectural ensemble of Ostrovsky Square. It was built according to the design of K.I. Rossi in 1828-1832. It houses one of the oldest theaters in the country - the Russian State Academic Drama Theater named after. A. S. Pushkin.

On the site of the current Alexandrinsky Theater there was originally a vast garden of the Anichkov Palace, on the territory of which there was, among other things, a wooden theater pavilion - an Italian opera group performed in it. In 1801, the pavilion was rebuilt, creating the Maly Theater on its basis. Over time, the growing cultural needs of St. Petersburg required the construction of a new, larger and more convenient stone theater building. Therefore, in 1818, the territory cut off from the park of the Anichkov Palace was transferred to the management of the theater directorate.

The Alexandrinsky Theater was named after the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, Alexandra, who patronized this type of art. The design of the theater building was directly linked to the layout of the architectural ensemble of modern Ostrovsky Square (after the opening of the theater it also became known as Alexandrinskaya Square). K.I. Rossi made the theater the main element of the entire square. The massive building in the classical Empire style had its main façade facing Nevsky Prospekt and its back facing Zodchego Rossi Street.

The front of the Alexandrinsky Theater was decorated with a multi-columned loggia of the Corinthian order, and the side facades were decorated in the form of eight-column porticoes. The entire perimeter of the upper part of the building is occupied by a sculptural frieze with antique theatrical masks and laurel garlands. At the ends of the theater in special niches there are statues of muses - Terpsichore, Melpomene, Clio and Thalia, and the attic of the main facade is crowned with the famous quadriga of Apollo (a carriage drawn by four horses) - the work of S. S. Pimenov.

The interior decoration of the theater building is also striking in its splendor. The auditorium was designed according to a modern multi-tier system with boxes, an amphitheater and a stalls. The capacity of the hall was designed for 1,700 people. The interiors were decorated with velvet, gilded carvings and wall paintings.

The roof of the Alexandrinsky Theater was an interesting design - the innovative idea of ​​​​using metal arched trusses with cast iron stops was first used in construction. Moreover, the author of such a roof arrangement was K.I. Rossi himself. Another technological innovation of the building was the installation of steam heating in the theater.

As a token of gratitude to the architect for creating such a masterpiece, after the opening of the theater, K. I. Rossi received the lifelong use of a box in the Alexandrinsky Theater, tickets for which he then often sold to wealthy citizens.

The building of the Alexandrinsky Theater is included in the Unified State Register of Cultural Heritage Objects (historical and cultural monuments) of Russia.

Note to tourists:

A tour of the building will be of interest to theater lovers who want to attend a performance, to all other tourists interested in the architecture of the first half of the 19th century, and can also become one of the points of the excursion program while exploring neighboring attractions -

On September 12, the Alexandrinsky Theater celebrates the 180th anniversary of its walls. In 1832, the troupe moved into one of the most beautiful buildings in the center of St. Petersburg. RIA Novosti publishes historical information about house No. 6 on Ostrovsky Square.

Alexandrinsky Theater

Russian State Academic Drama Theater named after. A.S. Pushkin - Alexandrinsky Theater - is the oldest national theater in Russia. It was established by Senate Decree signed by Empress Elizabeth on August 30, 1756. It is this theater that is the progenitor of all Russian theaters, and the date of its foundation is the birthday of the Russian Professional Theater.

Preparation for construction

The territory where the now famous Alexandrinsky Theater was later built, in the 18th century belonged to Colonel Anichkov, the builder of the bridge named after him, and was purchased from him by the treasury. On this territory there was a garden that extended to what is now Sadovaya Street.

In 1801, the architect Brenna rebuilt the large wooden pavilion that stood on the site of the current square into a theater in which the Italian entrepreneur Antonio Casassi organized an Italian opera troupe. Over time, this room no longer met the growing needs of the city, and it was decided to build a new stone theater. However, the implementation of the idea was delayed due to the unstable situation under Alexander I - military conflicts with Turkey, the war with Napoleon of 1812.

In 1818, the boundaries of the garden were narrowed, and the area formed between the Public Library and the garden of the Anichkov Palace was transferred to the theater directorate.
Between 1816 and 1827, Carl Rossi developed a number of projects for the reconstruction and development of this square. All these options included the construction of a city theater on the square. The final version of the project was approved on April 5, 1828, and construction of the theater building began in the same year.

On September 12, 1832, the Russian State Drama Theater received a magnificent building in the center of Nevsky.

House No. 6

This building was named the Alexandrinsky Theater (in honor of the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, Alexandra Feodorovna). Since then, the name of the Alexandrinsky Theater has been inextricably linked with the world history of performing arts. A unique complex of buildings, with a five-tier auditorium, a huge stage, palace front foyers, a majestic facade, which has become one of the emblems of the northern capital, is one of the pearls of world architecture registered by UNESCO.

The main façade of the theatre, on the side of Nevsky Prospekt, is decorated with a deep multi-column loggia, the space of which seems to be part of Ostrovsky Square. The side facades of the building are designed in the form of eight-column porticoes. On the other side, the street designed by Rossi and forming a common ensemble with the theater leads to the theater (Zodchego Rossi), the perspective of which is closed across the entire width by the rear, almost flat, but richly decorated facade of the theater.

The building is bordered by an expressive sculptural frieze with antique theatrical masks and garlands of laurel branches. In the niches on the end facades there are statues of muses, on the attic of the main facade there is a quadriga of Apollo.

Interior

A loggia with a powerful Corinthian colonnade, crowned with an attic with stucco reliefs of Glory and the chariot of Apollo, rich design of cornices, friezes, bas-reliefs, rhythmic lines of windows, arches, balustrades - all this makes up a solemn ensemble, a kind of architectural symphony; The interior decoration of the theater is also remarkable.

Seats for spectators were created according to the most advanced multi-tiered system of boxes for its time with an amphitheater and a spacious stalls. The five-tier auditorium has good proportions and excellent acoustics. In 1841, there were 107 boxes (10 in the benoir, 26 boxes on the first tier, 28 on the second, 27 on the third and 16 on the fourth), a balcony for 36 people, a gallery on the fourth tier with 151 seats, 390 seats on the fifth tier, 231 chairs in the stalls (9 rows) and 183 seats behind them. In total, the theater could accommodate up to 1,700 people.

The decoration of the auditorium is solemn and elegant, the interiors of the theater have practically preserved the original decoration. Initially, blue upholstery was used, it was replaced in 1849 with crimson: the theater, in which the lighting was provided by oil lamps, became smoky from the inside. For the same reason, over time, all the wall and ceiling paintings were updated, and later the stage was completely redone. In addition to the velvet decoration, the boxes are richly decorated with gilded carvings: the carvings of the central ("Royal") box and the boxes near the stage were made according to drawings by Rossi, and the ornament on the barriers of the tiers was created in the second half of the 19th century.

The decoration of the auditorium was complemented by a wonderful perspective picturesque ceiling, which depicted Olympus and Parnassus (artist A. K. Vigi).

Design

K.I. Rossi defended his design in front of official circles, which was not easy. Confidence in the strength of the metal structure he proposed is illustrated by one of the reports: “... in the event that... ... some misfortune occurs from the installation of metal roofs, then, as an example for others, let me be hanged right away on one of the rafters of the theater.”

Story

The walls of the Alexandrinsky Theater preserve the memory of great figures of the Russian state, politicians, military leaders, and cultural figures. A.S. has been here. Pushkin, M.Yu. Lermontov, N.V. Gogol, I.S. Turgenev, F.M. Dostoevsky, L.N. Tolstoy, A.P. Chekhov, P.I. Tchaikovsky, A.M. Gorchakov, S.Yu. Witte, V.A. Stolypin, K.G. Mannerheim, many crowned heads of European states.

It was at the Alexandrinsky Theater that the premieres of almost all works of Russian dramatic classics took place, from “Woe from Wit” by A.S. Griboyedov to the plays of A.N. Ostrovsky and A.P. Chekhov.

Alexandrinka's performances are included in all world theater encyclopedias. Great artists A. Benois, K. Korovin, A. Golovin, N. Altman, outstanding composers A. Glazunov, D. Shostakovich, R. Shchedrin collaborated with the theater.

Reconstruction

The grand opening of the reconstructed Alexandrinsky Theater took place on August 30, 2006, during the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the oldest state drama theater in Russia. In the morning, Metropolitan Vladimir of St. Petersburg and Ladoga consecrated the stage and auditorium of the theater, blessing the assembled actors, directors and theater workers. In the afternoon, the Marble Palace hosted the opening of the exhibition “Theater of Illustrious Masters,” dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the Russian theater. The opening of the renovated Alexandrinsky stage was the culmination of the anniversary celebrations.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, construction of the second stage of the theater has been underway. The opening date was postponed several times. The administration now promises that the work will be completed by 2013.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources.

History of the Alexandrinsky Theater

In 1801, a wooden theater was built in the gardens of Colonel Anichkin for performances by the Italian opera troupe. Due to the growing popularity of this type of art, the building soon ceased to satisfy the demands of the public, so a decision was made to build a new one. The implementation of the idea was delayed by several military conflicts, including the war with Napoleon. In 1818, the gardens were significantly narrowed, resulting in a vast area given over to the construction of a new theater.

The famous architect Karl Ivanovich Rossi spent eleven years developing a project for the development of the resulting area. In April 1828, the final version was finally approved, which included a new stone theater. The process was significantly delayed due to the architect's ambitious plans.

The innovative approach he planned to take in constructing the building was met with distrust by officials. Rossi used a metal floor system developed with engineer Clark, which included original steel structures for the roof, floors and balconies. One of the documents preserves the words of the architect that he agreed to be hanged from the rafters if his original solution caused misfortune. As a result, he managed to defend his innovation and four years after the start of construction, a new theater was built, striking in its size and splendor.

Architecture and decoration of the Alexandrinsky Theater

The main facade of the building from Nevsky Prospekt faces Ostrovsky Square. An original solution for St. Petersburg - a loggia with six massive Corinthian columns - replaces the traditional portico in the ancient Greek style. The wall of the lower floor, decorated with rustication, serves as a visual support for the colonnade, behind which there is a rhythmic line of arched windows. On both sides of the loggia there are shallow niches with statues of Melpomene and Terpsichore. The composition is completed by a sculptural frieze encircling the building. Above the attic of the main façade, decorated with sculptures, is installed one of the symbols of St. Petersburg - the quadriga of Apollo.

Despite its advanced age, a significant part of the interior decoration has been preserved today. After replacing the smoky blue upholstery in 1849 and updating the painting of the lampshades, they remained virtually unchanged. The carvings of the royal box and those closest to the stages and the gilded panels installed later on the barriers of the tiers remained unchanged.

Name: Russian State Academic Drama Theater named after. A. S. Pushkina (Alexandrinsky) (ru), Alexandrinsky Theater / Russian State Pushkin Academy Drama Theater (en)

Other names: Alexandrinsky Theater / Theater named after. Pushkin in St. Petersburg / Alexandrinka

Location: St. Petersburg (Russia)

Creation: 1827 - 1832

Style: Classicism

Architect(s): Carl Rossi

Architecture of the Alexandria Theater

Source:
G. B. Barkhin “Theatres”
Publishing House of the Academy of Architecture of the USSR
Moscow, 1947

In 1827-1832. In St. Petersburg, one of the most architecturally remarkable theaters in Europe for its time, the Alexandrinsky Theater, now the Pushkin Theater, was built according to Rossi’s design. In 1801, on the site of the current square of the Alexandria Theater, there was a small wooden theater built by Brenna, facing Nevsky Prospekt. In 1811, Thomas de Thomon designed a much larger theater on this site. The design of this theater has been preserved. The building is rectangular in shape with a ten-column portico of the main facade and a huge pediment decorated with sculpture. The area where the Tomon Theater is planned. has the same opening from Nevsky Prospekt as Rossi. but the theater building was erected by Tomon with a significantly smaller depth from Nevsky than Rossi’s. There is no background closing behind the theater in Tomon’s project. In addition, Tomon's theater area is significantly reduced due to the presence of a deep rounded pocket on the right side. Tom de Thomon's project was not implemented. The architect Maudui also made an attempt to design a theater on this site in 1817. Finally, in 1818, the theater project drawn up by Rossi was approved. The exceptional significance of this building for St. Petersburg is not limited only to the beautiful architecture of the building itself, but also lies in the amazing architectural environment that Rossi managed to create here in connection with the construction of his theater.

The main significance of the Rossi Theater in the history of theater architecture lies mainly in the excellent external architecture of the building. As for the general layout of the Alexandria Theater and the design of the auditorium, in this regard Rossi did not provide anything particularly new in comparison with the best European theaters of his time.

The plan of the Alexandria Theater does not devote any significant space to common areas; all amenities and all the luxury of decoration are concentrated exclusively in the front rooms. A small lobby with two staircases shifted off axis, enclosed in blind cages and designed without much grandeur. The flights of these stairs are designed with a width of 2.13 m only to the height of one floor, at the level of the royal box, after which the flights narrow to 1.4 m. Above the vestibule in front of the royal box is the front foyer, 6.4 m high; the foyers serving the remaining tiers, with the same area, have a height of only 4 m. The foyers for the public are cramped, the buffets and restrooms are inconvenient for use. The auditorium of this theater deserves attention.

The hall accommodates 1,800 spectators, in plan it is horseshoe-shaped, and the outline of the curve is close to the French one: half a circle connected to a wide portal by straight segments. Just like in French theaters, the stalls located in front and the semicircular amphitheater in the back of the hall are designed. In addition to the benoir there are 5 tiers of boxes. The boxes, for better visibility, are tilted towards the stage. At one time, this technique was recommended by Seghezzi, but this only led to the inconvenience of using the boxes due to the slope of the floor and to the fall of the barriers, which was extremely unfavorable for visual perception. The rather flat ceiling of the hall, as well as the architecture of the portal, are of little interest. The individual designs of the box barriers and the treatment of the central box are very well executed.

The main interest and significance of the theater lies in its external architecture. The Alexandria Theater is one of the most perfect works of Russia and, in terms of its architecture, is undoubtedly the best theater in Europe. In the center of the front facade there is a loggia and an eight-column portico. The rear facade is designed in the same way, but instead of columns it is decorated with pilasters. The side facades have protruding eight-column pediment porticoes; the building is richly decorated with sculpture. The front and rear facades end with attics characteristic of Russia. The front attic is crowned with a quadriga with four horses. The auditorium and stage protrude above the overall volume of the theater in the form of a parallelepiped. Sculptural groups are installed above the protruding frames of the loggia. The lower part of the building is treated as a rusticated basement with very simply designed entrance doors. The side porticos form two covered entrances. Under the entablature, which covers the entire building, there is a wide sculptural frieze of garlands and masks.

In general, the architecture of the theater, despite its exceptional unity and integrity, is very rich and varied in detail.

Sources:

• History of art. Volume five. Art of the 19th century: art of the peoples of Russia, France, England, Spain, USA, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia, Latin America , India, China and other countries. “ART”, Moscow
• Ikonnikov A.V., Stepanov G.P. Fundamentals of architectural composition Art, M. 1971
• "History of Russian Architecture" edited by S.V. Bezsonova State Publishing House of Literature on Construction and Architecture 1951
• G. B. Barkhin “Theatres” Publishing House of the Academy of Architecture of the USSR Moscow, 1947
• E.B. Novikov "Interior of public buildings (artistic problems)". - M.: Stroyizdat, 1984. - 272 p., ill.

Russian State Academic Drama Theater named after. A.S. Pushkin - the legendary Alexandrinsky Theater - is the oldest national theater in Russia. It was established by a Senate Decree signed by the daughter of Peter the Great, Empress Elizabeth, on August 30, 1756, the day of St. Alexander Nevsky. It was this theater that became the progenitor of all Russian theaters, and the date of its foundation is the birthday of the Russian professional theater. The establishment of the theater served as the beginning of the state policy of the Russian state in the field of theatrical art. For two and a half centuries, the Russian State Drama Theater served as an attribute of Russian statehood. From the day of its foundation until 1917, it was the main imperial theater, the fate of which was occupied by the Russian emperors. In 1832, the Russian State Drama Theater received a magnificent building in the center of Nevsky Prospect in St. Petersburg, designed by the great architect Carl Rossi. This building was named the Alexandrinsky Theater (in honor of the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, Alexandra Fedorovna) and since then the name of the Alexandrinsky Theater has been inextricably linked with the world history of performing arts. The unique building complex, with a five-tier auditorium, a huge stage, palace front foyers, a majestic facade, which has become one of the emblems of the Northern capital, is one of the pearls of world architecture registered by UNESCO. The walls of the Alexandrinsky Theater preserve the memory of great figures of the Russian state, politicians, military leaders, and cultural figures. A.S. has been here. Pushkin, M.Yu. Lermontov, N.V. Gogol, I.S. Turgenev, F.M. Dostoevsky, L.N. Tolstoy, A.P. Chekhov, P.I. Tchaikovsky, A.M. Gorchakov, S.Yu. Witte, V.A. Stolypin, K.G. Mannerheim, many crowned heads of European states. It was here, at the Alexandrinsky Theater, that the premieres of almost all works of Russian dramatic classics from “Woe from Wit” by A.S. took place. Griboyedov to the plays of A.N. Ostrovsky and A.P. Chekhov. The Alexandrinsky Theater is a textbook on the history of Russian theatrical art. It was on this stage that famous Russian actors played - from V. Karatygin and A. Martynov to N. Simonov, N. Cherkasov, V. Merkuryev, I. Gorbachev, B. Freundlich. This stage was decorated with the talents of famous Russian actresses from E. Semenova, M. Savina (founder of the Union of Theater Workers of Russia), V. Komissarzhevskaya to E. Korchagina-Alexandrovskaya, E. Time, N. Urgant. Today, such artists as S. Parshin, V. Smirnov, N. Marton, G. Karelina, I. Volkov, P. Semak, S. Smirnova, S. Sytnik, M. Kuznetsova and many other outstanding experienced artists work on the stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater and young artists.
Over the years, great theater directors Vs. worked in the theater. Meyerhold, L. Vivien, G. Kozintsev, G. Tovstonogov, N. Akimov. The performances of the Alexandrinians were included in all world theater encyclopedias. Great artists A. Benois, K. Korovin, A. Golovin, N. Altman, outstanding composers A. Glazunov, D. Shostakovich, R. Shchedrin collaborated with the theater.
Since 2003, the artistic director of the theater has been a director with a European name, People's Artist of Russia, State Prize laureate Valery Fokin.
Among the great oldest national theaters of Europe - the Parisian Comedie Francaise, the Vienna Burgtheater, the London Drewry Lane, the Berlin Deutsches Theater - the Alexandrinsky Theater takes pride of place, serving as a symbol of the Russian National Theater. The theater has unique collections of scenery, costumes, furniture, theatrical props, weapons, and the richest museum funds, which can be exhibited both in Russia and abroad in the most prestigious exhibition spaces. During the 2005/2006 season. The Alexandrinsky Theater carried out a general reconstruction, as a result of which the historical appearance of the building's interiors was recreated. At the same time, Alexandrinka became one of the most advanced modern stage venues in terms of engineering. The grand opening of the reconstructed Alexandrinsky Theater took place on August 30, 2006, during the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the oldest state drama theater in Russia. In the morning, Metropolitan Vladimir of St. Petersburg and Ladoga consecrated the stage and auditorium of the theater, blessing the assembled actors, directors and theater workers. In the afternoon, the Marble Palace hosted the opening of the exhibition “Theater of Illustrious Masters,” dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the Russian theater. The opening of the renovated Alexandrinsky stage was the culmination of the anniversary celebrations. Among the guests were Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Vladimir, Governor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the North-Western District Ilya Klebanov, Head of the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography Mikhail Shvydkoy.
The celebration of this anniversary has become the most important event of state policy in the field of theatrical art. Based on the order of the President of the Russian Federation No. Pr-352 dated 03/02/2004, the Russian Government Order No. 572-r dated 05/12/2005 “On the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the Russian State Theater” was issued, in accordance with which the main events took place in Alexandrinsky Theater throughout 2006. In November 2012, the 180th anniversary of the Alexandrinsky Theater building was solemnly celebrated. The new stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater opened on May 15, 2013. The modern unique architectural complex of the New Stage was built according to the design of St. Petersburg architect Yuri Zemtsov on the site of the former theater workshops between Ostrovsky Square and the Fontanka embankment. The new stage is a multi-level space, including 4 halls of different capacities and a spacious two-level foyer; it is equipped with the most advanced lighting, sound, video and media equipment. The New Stage Media Center, an ideal venue for meetings, master classes and film screenings with 100 seats, has everything necessary to organize television-level Internet broadcasts; Many New Stage events are broadcast on various Internet resources.
The new stage is not only a modern stage for the oldest drama theater in the country, which produces 4-5 premieres during the season and hosts more than 120 performances. Over the course of three years, the New Stage has developed a reputation as one of the main cultural and educational multidisciplinary centers in St. Petersburg. The New Stage regularly hosts master classes and meetings, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions – 250 events annually. In the summer of 2016, another platform was opened to the public on the New Stage - the Roof, where meetings, poetry readings, concerts, and film screenings take place. In August 2014, the Alexandrinsky Theater was awarded the status of National Treasure.
In April 2016, the Alexandrinsky Theater was included in the register of the State Code of Particularly Valuable Objects of the Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of the Russian Federation.