:)

Yesterday evening was by far my most exciting yet. I saw my first show at the Mariinsky Theater on the opening night of the company's season. The ballet was Romeo and Juliet, with Alina Somova as Juliet.

It was a very last-minute decision to go to the ballet (a friend and I got student tickets at about 5:25 pm; the show began at 7), and we thought that we might be late after we ran into some minor difficulties with public transportation. We eventually managed to find the theater and somehow arrived with twenty minutes remaining before the start of the show.

Our student tickets entitled us to standing room spots (no seats for us) in the first balcony of the packed theatre. My three friends squished into two nearby open seats after the show began, but I ended up standing through the entire production. It was definitely worth it. Alina Somova is a beautiful dancer. Her technique is strong and clean, which I admire greatly.  

I didn't want the show to end, even though my feet were extremely angry with me at that point. (They don't take kindly to being made to dance for two and a half hours, walk several blocks in heels, and then stand through an entire ballet).

Anyway, I absolutely love the Mariinsky Theater. It is the most beautiful theater that I have ever been inside. Most everything (including the program covers) is the same mint green, there are crystal chandeliers everywhere you turn, and gold decorations embellish the edges of walls and the theater boxes.

This is a panorama that I took from my "seat".

Today I was feeling tired but inspired, both thanks to last night's performance. Yesterday was definitely an excellent day. 

:)