We are in St Petersburg and Moscow in August 2016. I have learned that the ballet companies for Marinsky and Bolshoi Theaters are closed during that time. Any suggestions on alternatives? We would of course like to see Swan Lake, Giselle, or a Rachmaninoff concert.

Appreciate any advice of experiences you have.

John

There are definitely other places like Big Conservatorium Hall in Moscow, Filarmony in Petersburg and so on. These are large cities, plenty of possibilities there.

When I spent nearly a month in the summer in Russia, I found that I could see ballet at dozens of places both in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Unfortunately all those places were doing the same ballet -- Swan Lake. It's like they think it's the only thing tourists will go see. I would have loved some other choices in addition to Swan Lake.

I don't think there are plenty of possibilities during the summer season. Here is the summer schedule of ballet for Moscow.

http://ballet-letom.ru/en/afisha?mounth=8&lang=en

Yes, "Swan lake" is, let's say, overly abundant. But some other ballets are also being presented.

John, unfortunately this is true – July and August most theaters are on holidays. There could be some luck with a concert of classical music, some shows and ballet, but better buy tickets in advance. There are a few sites I know that sell theater and concert tickets: concert.ru, redkassa.ru, ticketland.ru but they're all in Russian. Try to find someone or some service speaking Russian to order e-tickets for the performances you choose. Besides there are many performances of folk groups, circuses and what not.