A Beluga waterfall in the prestigious Mariinsky II Theatre of St Petersburg

In the heart of St Petersburg officially has opened the doors the Mariinsky II Theatre. The Opening Night Gala, conducted by the general director Valery Gergiev, featured Plácido Domingo and the president of Russia Vladimir Putin.
The new opera house connect to the historic stage of the Mariinsky Theatre, which opened in 1860, by a planned pedestrian bridge. Mariinsky II features seven stories and three underground levels, including a main auditorium, a 200-seat rooftop amphitheatre, a third-floor lobby amphitheatre, multiple rehearsal rooms, and production facilities for 2,500 staff.

Sparkling waterfalls of Beluga light up the huge lobby, whereas a series of Lumi Sfera light up a second concert hall.

The architecture has been edited by Diamond Schmitt Architects (Canada) and the structural engineering study was made by KB Vips of St. Petersburg.

Photo and render: courtesy of Diamond Schmitt Architects