The Flames of Paris Tickets

Mikhailovsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Scene 1 from the ballet "Flames of Paris"

Scene 2 from the ballet "Flames of Paris"

Scene 3 from the ballet "Flames of Paris"

Scene 4 from the ballet "Flames of Paris"

Scene 5 from the ballet "Flames of Paris"

Scene 6 from the ballet "Flames of Paris"

All photos (6)

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Available Dates: 21 Mar - 6 Jun, 2026 (2 events)

Important Info

Type: Ballet

City: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Duration: 2h 10min with 2 intervals

Acts: 3

Intervals: 2

Ticket delivery: E-Tickets

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

Can I choose my seats?

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Cast

Performers

Choose the date to see the peformers

Creators

Composer: Boris Asafyev

Author: Alexander Belinsky

Librettist: Nikolai Volkov

Choreography: Vasily Vainonen

Librettist: Vladimir Dmitriev

Overview

The legendary ballet about the events of the Great French Revolution is considered one of the greatest successes of the Soviet musical theatre.

Libretto by Nikolay Volkov and Vladimir Dmitriev after the novel Les Rouges du Midi by Felix Gras revised by Mikhail Messerer

Its first spectators rose from their seats in a general impulse and sang the Marseillaise at the top of their voices together with the artists. The bright and spectacular performance of the Mikhailovsky Theatre not only preserves the choreographic text and mise-en-scènes of the original source, but also carefully recreates its revolutionary fervor. The large-scale production involves more than a hundred people — ballet dancers, extras, choir, and dance and acting merge into a single whole. This lively and energetic ballet continues to be a source of joy and faith in ideals.

History

Premiere of this production: 07 November 1932, Kirov Theatre, Leningrad

Flames of Paris is a full-length ballet in four acts, choreographed by Vasily Vainonen to music by Boris Asafyev based on songs of the French Revolution. The libretto by Nicolai Volkov and Vladimir Dmitriev was adapted from a book by Felix Gras. It was premiered at the Kirov Theatre in Leningrad on 7 November 1932, with Natalia Dudinskaya as Mireille de Poitiers, Vakhtang Chabukiani as Jérôme, Olga Jordan as Jeanne, Nina Anisimova as Thérèse, and Konstantin Sergeyev as Mistral. The conductor was Yuri Fayer.

Synopsis

This outline is different from the plot of the ballet version revived by Alexei Ratmansky for the Bolshoi Ballet.

The ballet opens in a forest near Marseilles, where the peasant Gaspard and his children, Jeanne and Pierre, are gathering firewood. When a Count and his hunting party arrive, the peasants disperse, but Jeanne attracts the attention of the Count, who attempts to embrace her. When her father intervenes, he is beaten up by the Count's servant and taken away. Next, in the city square in Marseilles Jeanne tells the people what has happened to her father and the people's indignation over the injustices of the aristocracy grows. They storm the prison and free the prisoners of the Marquis de Beauregard.

At the court of Versailles a performance of the court theatre is followed by a lush banquet. The officials of the court present a formal petition to the king, requesting permission to deal with the unruly revolutionaries. Antoine Mistral, an actor in the theatre, on discovering this secret document is killed by the Marquis de Beauregard, but before he dies he manages to pass the petition on to Mireille de Poitiers, who escapes the palace as the sound of the Marseillaise is heard through the windows.

The scene shifts to a square in Paris, where an uprising and the storming of the palace is prepared. Mireille rushes in with the document revealing the conspiracy against the revolution, and her bravery is applauded. At the height of this scene, the officers of the Marquis arrive in the square; Jeanne, recognizing the man who insulted her in the woods, runs up and slaps his face. Following this, the crowd attacks the aristocrats. To the sound of revolutionary songs, the people storm the palace and burst into the staircase of the front hall. Jeanne attacks the Marquis, who is then killed by her brother, and the Basque girl Thérèse is shot to death.

Finally, back in the Paris square, the people celebrate their victory over the defenders of the Old Regime.

Venue Info

Mikhailovsky Theatre - Saint Petersburg
1 Arts Square

Located in the historic center of Saint Petersburg, just steps from Nevsky Prospekt and the Arts Square, the Mikhailovsky Theatre is one of Russia’s most elegant and vibrant venues for opera and ballet. Founded in 1833, the theatre has long been an important part of the city’s rich cultural landscape, offering audiences a refined blend of classical tradition and innovative performance.

The theatre’s architecture reflects the grace of the imperial era. Its beautifully restored auditorium, adorned with gold accents, crimson velvet, and crystal chandeliers, creates an atmosphere of intimacy and aristocratic charm. Despite its historic appearance, the Mikhailovsky Theatre is equipped with modern stage technology, allowing it to present visually impressive productions while preserving its classical elegance.

Today, the theatre is known for its ambitious repertoire that spans beloved masterpieces of opera and ballet. Works by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Puccini, and Mussorgsky share the stage with contemporary productions and new interpretations of classical works. The ballet company, admired for its expressive style and strong technique, performs iconic titles including Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Nutcracker, alongside modern choreographic creations.

The Mikhailovsky Theatre regularly welcomes internationally renowned singers, dancers, and conductors, while also nurturing a talented ensemble of resident artists. This combination of global artistry and local tradition creates performances that are both polished and emotionally compelling.

Elegant, historic, and artistically dynamic, the Mikhailovsky Theatre offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Russian opera and ballet.