St. Petersburg Conservatory (Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory)

Description:

• This training ground for classical musicians across from the Mariinsky was long a coveted and cosseted institution. Today the theater needs renovations, the musicians need to be better paid, and the ticket office could be friendlier, but performances here are still impressive. If you buy directly from the ticket office, you'll pay less than you would through your hotel, but you're still stuck with the $15 "tourist fee" on top of each ticket for foreigners. Primarily Russian composers and performers are featured.

• © Frommer's 2013