TUMBLEWEED

Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg. 26 May-31 July 2016

The Stars of the White Nights Festival is considered among the ten best music festivals in the world today, and among the most popular and diverse musical events in Russia. Created in 1993 by General and Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, Maestro Valery Gergiev, the Festival’s mission was to serve as 'a musical gift to the city [of St. Petersburg] from the Mariinsky Theatre’s performers and soloists.' Each year, the Festival presents the best opera and ballet performances of the Mariinsky Theatre, the full range of symphonic repertoire, masterpieces of chamber music, and theatrical premieres. Over many years the program of the Festival has featured cycles of works of the great composers, such as the symphonies of Sergei Prokofiev; concerti of Ludwig van Beethoven; and the operas, ballets, and symphonic music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky; as well as the complete symphonies of Dmitri Shostakovich and Gustav Mahler. Each year the Mariinsky Theatre expands the horizons of the Festival, presenting in Moscow and the cities of the northwestern region of Russia, in addition to giving open-air concerts.

Arkhangelskoye Estate, Moscow. 4 June 2016; Roza Khutor, Sochi. 22-25 June; Rastorguev-Kharitonov Estate, Yekaterinburg. 2 July; Ramon (Princess Oldenburg Palace), Voronezh. 16 July; Yelagin Island, St Petersburg, 30 July 2016; Kazan (to be announced)

One of the biggest open air festivals in Russia dedicated to jazz, funk, world music, lounge, blues, etc. As the name suggests, the festival takes place on the territories of Russian usadbas, former countryside mansions of Russian nobility. The festival is held in 6 Russian cities: Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Voronezh, and Sochi, each festival has several stages spread over the territory of the estate. Apart from music, the festival also has a social mission. It is through such projects in vintage Russian manor returns cultural and entertainment life, drawing attention to the problems associated with the conservation of the architectural and cultural heritage. This year's headliners include Maceo Parker, KRAAK&SMAAK, Darlini, Parne Gadje, Aquarium, etc.  (Moscow), Nino Katamadze, Maceo Parker, Horsepower (St Petersburg), Tesla Boy, Migguel Anggelo, Grzegorz Karnas Quarter (Yekaterinburg). You can buy tickets to any of these festivals on the official website of Usadba Jazz.

Kolomenskoye Park and Estate, Moscow. 30 July 2016

The Afisha Picnic is a one-day outdoor festival held in Moscow every summer. It takes place on the territory of Kolomenskoye, a former tsar’s estate, now a state-owned historical, architectural and nature reserve museum, located only 10 km south-east of the city center. Since its start in 2004, the Afisha Picnic has followed the concept that mixes professional music festival featuring performances of international artists and local independent musicians, and urban-style event with all sorts of entertainment, such as designers’ market, gastronomic area, games and crafts, sports and amusements, lectures and workshops, and, on one occasion, even a dance floor on the rollerdrome. The festival is visited by 50,000 visitors that spread out over 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) of land. The headliners this year are The Chemical Brothers and a popular Russian rock band Leningrad. Buy tickets here or here.

Red Square, Moscow. 27 August - 4 September 2016

The International Military Music Festival includes the parade of the honor guards units of the heads of states and of the best military music bands of Russia and other countries takes place every year on Red Square in Moscow. More than 140 groups from 40 countries have taken part in the Festival since it was created. Every year about 1500 musicians, military men and other artists perform at the festival. For seven years in a row the Festival has a special guest star: Mireille Mathieu, a legendary French singer, who has performed her hits, such as “Le temps du Muguet” and “Non je regrette rien”. Spasskaya Tower also includes various receptions and concerts of classical music with the acclaimed stars from all over the world inside the Kremlin and on the Red Square. Tickets can be purchased on the official website of the festival.

Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg. 20-28 October 2016

The IV International Organ Festival is being held at the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre, which for six days will become the centre of organ music in St Petersburg. According to French organist Thierry Escaich, who has already performed on several occasions at the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre and will open the festival this year, 'the festival promises to be interesting and memorable: during the festival there will be performances of undoubted great classical composers of the past – Bach, Mendelssohn and Franck, organist-composers who began their careers by playing the organ and only later composed timeless orchestral and vocal masterpieces; it will also be possible to hear the ‘organ-orchestra’ – arrangements for organ of symphony music by Ravel, Strauss and Messiaen; and there will be performances of contemporary organ music at the festival – works by classical composers of our own time including Mikael Tariverdiev and Rolande Falcinelli as well as jazz compositions.' The tickets are already on sale on the official website.

Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg. 13-17 December 2016

For 5 days, famous flute virtuosi from all over Russia unite in Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg to perform the hardest flute compositions. Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, and Köhler are all on the programme. Tickets are already on sale on the official website of Mariinsky Theatre.