The artists will perform three operas - The Queen of Spades by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, The Demon by Russian composer Anton Rubinstein and Alexander Smelkov's The brothers Karamazov. The operas will be conducted by the renowned Ossetian-born Russian conductor Valery Gergiev.
Gergiev, who condemned Georgia's offensive on its breakaway South Ossetia, gave a requiem concert in central Tskhinvali in late August. Thousands of candles were lit on each shattered step of the destroyed building of South Ossetia's parliament in honor of those who died during the war.
The Queen of Spades will be performed by Vladimir Galuzin, who is renowned as one of the greatest tenors of the age, and celebrated Russian mezzo soprano Larisa Diadkova. A main role in The Demon will be played by bass-baritone Yevgeny Nikitin.
The last day of the concerts, February 1, will see the film premiere of the Mariinsky Theatre 1783 - 2008 by British director Margy Kinmonth marking the 225th anniversary of the legendary theatre.
