"The Souvenir" is a folk instrument trio. The three skillful musicians brilliantly perform folk compositions. Besides the accordion and balalaika, which are traditional for Russia, some rare and even exotic musical instruments are used by this group. You will be astonished to hear traditional Russian folk melodies, performed with objects not normally used for music-making. These amazing performances are full of humor and show high professional of musicians, their ability to transform simple things into real wonder.

The "Souvenir" was formed in 1990. It successfully toured in many European countries, the USA, Canada. The group is a prize-winner of the World Folk Festival in Seattle (the USA).

MAIDAN

"Maidan" is a Cossack song-and-dance group formed in 1992 by the honored artist V.Drachev. The name of the group gets its origin from the place, where all Cossacks used to assemble in older times and where decisions were made "by the whole world". The group skillfully reproduces on stage Cossack songs and dances in their original form.

PETERSBURG STARS

"The Stars of St.Petersburg" is a dance group. The dancers are graduated from leading schools of choreography in Russia. Its repertoire covers lyrical dances of the Russian North, fiering dances of the Cossacks from the Don and Voronezh, dancing miniatures of the Urals and Siberia with their subtle humor. Spectators of all ages and tastes will be able to appreciate not only the ability of the performers to bring Russian national color to the stage, but also their highest skills, complexity of acrobatic feats and breath-taking leaps.

The group has had successful tours in France, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, China, Italy, Spain.

PETERS QUARTET

"Peters Quartet" is a vocal quartet. Classical performance of folk songs, lyrical romances and Russian Orthodox hymns.

Grand Duke Nikolay‘s palace

Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich Snr, the first owner of the Palace, was the third son of the emperor Nicolas I and his wife Alexandra.

In 1851 when the young Grand Duke reached his official maturity a bid was announced, and the project of the palace submitted by the famous architect Andrei Stakenschneider was the best one.

The site approved for construction was Annunciation sq. (now – pl. Truda). By the 40th of the XIX century that place had turned into a highly fashionable area, the favorite place of promenade in St.Petersburg for representatives of the Higher Society.

Nikolai Nikolayevich had waited patiently for almost 10 years – longer that any other grand duke – until construction of his palace was completed. Only in 1861 he moved in with his wife Alexandra Petrovna (the princess Frederica-Wilhelmina of Oldenburg). Despite of mixture of several architectural styles – renascence, baroque, classicism, etc. – the Palace makes everyone feel what the perfect harmony is. The magnificent gala staircase is considered to be the great architectural achievement of Stakenschneider. The Palace's Church of Our Lady of Sorrow is worth a special attention. The image of the church was inspired by one of the temples in Rostov Velikii after the Grand Duke had visited that ancient Russian city. The location of the church is unique: only in this palace the family church is located right on the gala staircase.

One of the main peculiarities of the Palace is its special “homy” atmosphere which the official Grand Duke’s residence managed to retain.

The Grand Duke had to leave his home from time to time due to his military services: as the Inspector General of Cavalry and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armies he took part in the Crimean war, Russian-Turkish war and other military campaigns where he was said to demonstrate remarkable bravery. He showed the importance of reorganization of the Russian army including the development of engineering and cavalry.

When Nikolai Nikolayevich was not preoccupied with his military responsibilities he gave a lot of attention to various social affairs and events. He was the most devoted admirer of theatre (especially of young actresses and female ballet dancers). Being kind, cheerful and generous he inspired and arranged parties, balls, dinners – and never missed the opportunity of pleasing his guests with exquisite cuisine, rare wines and joyful performance. It should be mentioned that Nikolai Nikolayevich was fond of Russian culture and Russian traditions of hospitality, that’s why balls and receptions were often held in Russian style, where “all costumes were magnificent, graceful and historically true, and some accessories survived from the ancient times”. In accordance with the ancient Russian ceremony of hospitality the hosts were greeting their guests on the top of the gala staircase with Bread and Salt. The program of each ball included celebratory dinners. To emphasize traditional theme dishes were supplied with cranberry, cloudberry, currant and mushrooms.

That year Lenin signed a decree which stated a new owner of the Palace. Since 1918 the local trade unions’ association has been located here. Thus the Palace acquired another name – the Palace of Labor (Dvoretz Trouda).

Note about seat numbers:
Seats are without numbers. As the hall is not a big and cosy, there is no big difference between seats. All seats are considered to be very good. For that reason all tickets are without seat numbers, it is "free seating" in the Nikolaevsky. Actually for more than 15 years we did not get any complains about the seats at the Nikolaevsky Palace.
The seats are arranged by the show administration and you will seat together with other people from your country. If you need some specific seats, we would recommend you to come early (20-30 minutes before the show starts) and tell to any show administrator, and she/he will help you gladly. All of them are English-speaking.

Performance duration:
The show lasts for about two hours. It consists of two parts, about 45 minutes each. In the 20 minutes intermission the refreshments are served. Guests are treated to fruit, canapes with salmon roe, ham, smoked sausage, cheese; also strong and soft drinks: Russian vodka, champagne, red wine, mineral water, soda, juice, . During the interval, classical music known world-wide is performed by a string quartette.

Buffet table (served during the 20 minutes interval for all clients):

Buffet table (Russian style) includes:
Canapes:
-canape with salmon roe
-canape with ham
-canape with smoked sausage
-canape with cheese

Fruites:
-apples
-oranges
-bananas

Drinks:
-glass of Russian Vodka
-glass of wine
-glass of champagne
-juices
-mineral water
-soda


"Tsar's Meal" dinner (served after the show, for the client who bought tickets for show + dinner).

"Tsar's meal" traditional russian menu #1 (chicken).
1. "Russian salad" with potato, carrot, ham, apple, mushrooms, cucumber and green peas
2. "Sсhi": traditional Russian soup with mushrooms and marinated cabbage.
3. "Pozharskaya": chicken fillet fried in crumbs. Served with vegetables and mushroom sauce
4. "Nikolaevsky" cake. Biscuit with creamy souffle. Saturated with berry syrup; served with fruit and sauce.
5. Mineral still water. Served in jug
6. "Nevsky" loaf.
7. Tea, coffee, cream, sugar.

"Tsar's meal" traditional russian menu #2 (fish).
1. "Mimosa" salad: salmon, potato, egg, herbs, cheese; served with mayonnaise dressing.
2. "Golden Fish" fish bouillon.
3. "Smolensky" soodak (sort of pike fish) with vegetables and mushrooms.
4. "Temptation" dessert: whole baked apple, served with honey and cedar nuts
5. Mineral still water. Served in jug
6. "Nevsky" loaf.
7. Tea, coffee, cream, sugar.

"Tsar's meal" european menu #3 (pork)
1. "Mimosa" salad: salmon, potato, egg, herbs, cheese; served with mayonnaise dressing.
2. Mushroom creamy soup
3. Pork fillet fried in crumbs; served with side vegetables (cauliflower, beans, carrot, pepper)
4. Ice cream with chocolate crisps 
5. Mineral still water. Served in jug
6. "Nevsky" loaf.
7. Tea, coffee, cream, sugar.

Nickolaevsky Palace hall plan

Dress Code for Folk Show at Nickolaevsky Palace