A dog's life...
Although she was constantly busy with affairs of state, Catherine the Great always found time to spend with her pets. Several odd monuments to her fondness for animals can still be found there -- including a dog cemetery complete with pyramid.
ART
Tea for three with Henry Matisse at the Hermitage
The Hermitage Museum's Henry Matisse collection, known as the best in the world, has been boosted by the addition of another work, "Tea", on loan from the Los Angeles County Art Museum.
Horror Show
Attire from two local companies will be modeled, Ulita and the Dawn of May First. Fashions and accessories by talented young designers and artists will also feature strongly.
Italian Art
Twenty paintings from the private collection of the Italian Corsini princes will be put on show at the Hermitage from this weekend.
FOOD
RESTAURANT REVIEW: Night of long knives
"There were a few moments in the 1001 Nights restaurant when I thought I might not live to see another one night, let alone 1001. The murky presence of imminent death certainly added spice to an otherwise
bland and poorly-cooked meal, but it was not entirely welcome..."
THEATERS
New theater season dominated by foreign plays
With the end of the St Petersburg summer each year the hibernating cultural scene begins to stir. Winter is high season on the city's stages and in the concert halls. SARAH HURST and KARINA BIOK take a look at the coming theater season.
Madam Butterfly on its way
Madame Butterfly is one of Puccini's finest works and it continues to fascinate audiences. It is one of the opening performances for the Marinsky Theater's new season.
MUSIC
Leningrad Symphony
On June 30, 1941 the formation of a civilian Emergency Volunteer Corps began in Leningrad. Shostakovich promptly joined up. A month later a TASS reporter took the now famous photo of the composer on duty wearing his fireman's uniform. Even while fire and destruction swept the country Shostakovich did not neglect his music.
Violinist promises exuberant affair
This week's Paganini violin festival has been awaited by local music lovers with an expectancy approaching passion. Tuesday and Wednesday Sergei Stadler, Russia's best violinist, plays the famous violin after laying his hands on the much coveted instrument only on Monday.
Revolver to play the TaMtAm Club
TaMtAm's Thursdays are usually reserved for avant-garde and other types of off-beat music not intended for a mass audience. But this week's Thursday will be devoted to the music which stems from 1960's Britain. The group's name obviously derives from the Beatles' album, but in fact its music is more akin to that of the Rolling Stones of the 1960s.
