Ann Jurrjens talks about her recent visit to the new Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Russia . . . .

artist's impression of the new Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Russia

As for our recent trip to St Petersburg, where another one of my childhood dreams came true was visiting the Mariinsky Theatre. We went to two ballets and I saw my most favourite conductor, Valery Gergiev conduct his own orchestra at the New Mariinsky. It was the opera ‘Otello’ by Verdi. That was a night I will never forget. What an orchestra, every note conveyed some emotion I could have closed my eyes, forgotten the singers or the staging, which was brilliant, and just listened to the music. Wunderbar.
I’ve seen maestro Valery Gergiev twice before; first when he came to the Sydney Opera House with the Wiener Philharmonika in 2006 and again in 2013 Brisbane with the London Symphony Orchestra. But for me the Mariinsky was the best of the orchestras. He is certainly the best musical director in the world today and the best since von Karajan. I hope one day the Mariinsky Orchestra will come here to Australia, with maestro Gergiev of course.

new Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Russia