Day 1:

Arrive to Moscow. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner.

Day 2:

Morning tour the Kremlin and Armory.

Museum of Musical Culture (Glinka) was founded in 1912, first at the Moscow Conservatoire building; later on, in 1985, it moved to a modern house especially designed for it. In 1954, the year of Mikhail Glinka's 150th anniversary, the museum was named after this great Russian composer.

This is a depository of several hundred thousands unique objects somehow connected with music: musical instruments from all over the world, records, written and printed music, editions of works by great composers published in their lifetime, memorial articles and documentary photographs, as well as paintings by Mikhail Vrubel, Alexander Benois, Nikolai Roerich and other celebrated Russian artists. These relics reflect the development of Russian musical culture and unfold the pages of life and creative work of outstanding composers and musicians.

Evening performance.

Day 3:

Tretyakov Gallery tour

The State Tretyakov Gallery is the national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the greatest museums in the world. The Gallery's collection of 130 000 pieces consists entirely of Russian art ranging in date from the 11th to the early 20th century. You will see the best collection of Russian Icons and learn how the icons were created and what made them world admired. See the extensive collection of works of Russian “Peredvijniki” – a group of painters very close to a group of musicians called “the Big Five” that included Musorgsriy, Rimskiy Korsakov, Borodin, Balakiriev and Kjui. See best live portraits of Russian composers of learn about the time of the developing of Russian Classical Art.

Lunch

Visit to Moscow State Conservatory. The oldest classical music university in Russia founded by A. Rubinstein, Russian Music society and the Grand Princess Elena Pavlovna at the permeation of HRM the Emperor of Russia in 1865 became an alma matra for hundreds of world known musicians in all fields of classical music. Today you will tour this legendary place and learn of conservatory’s history. Possibly meet a professor (have to confirm that). This is a special tour since the conservatory does not ordinarily permit tours on its grounds.

Walking Tour of the historical area near Moscow State Conservatory and the Boulevard Ring – the historical border of 17th c. Moscow.

Evening performance.

Day 4:

An escursion to Klin – Chaikovskiy’s museum – estate

We will move through time and space out of the city life to a small town that still preserves the atmosphere of over a hundred years ago. Tchaikovsky memorial museum in Klin is one of the oldest memorial museums in the world, it was open practically write after the composer’s death. You will walk through Tchaikovsky’s house stay surrounded by his things, walk his garden and listen to his music. Museum makes it feel as if Tchaikovsky just stepped out of his home yesterday. We will tour the old town of Klin, see the local Assumption church of the 16th c., the old trading rows, post office, and train station that Tchaikovsky used. We will also see another Chaikovskiy estate near by – Maidanovo. Optional exclusive concert on Tchaikovsky piano by international competitions winners.

Lunch in Klin.

Tour New Maiden’s (Novodevichiy) nunnery.

This tour will take you to the origins of Russian Orthodoxy: first Moscow monasteries are some of the oldest city s buildings, full of history and treasures. The cluster of sparkling domes behind handsome turreted walls - that is Novodevichiy Convent, founded in 1524.

The Novodevichiy Convent is one of the city's most beautiful architectural ensembles, full of history and treasures. The convent, built as a fortress in the bend of the Moscow River, became an important component of the capital's southern defense belt. Adjacent to the convent is Novodevichiy Cemetery. Tour Novodevichiy cemetery. Moscow's most prestigious resting place after the Kremlin wall, containing the tombs of Khrushchev, Raisa Gorbacheva, Stalin’s wife - Alilueva, Gogol, Chekhov, Stanislavskiy, Skriabin, Rubinstein, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Oistrakh Chaikovskiy’s brother, Shnitke, Shalyapin, Eisenstein and of many other Russian and Soviet notables.

Back to Moscow.

Day 5:

Tour to Skryabin Museum

After a stop in Red Square we are off to the Alexander Skryabin Museum stands on one of the old Moscow lanes, Nikolopeskovsky Pereulok, and preserves the atmosphere of the Silver Age. Everything here is imbued with music and harmony. This house, where Alexander Skryabin lived in 1912 - 1915 remembers such remarkable guests as the Russian philosopher Nikolay Berdyaev, writer Mikhail Bulgakov, poet and the Nobel Prize winner Boris Pasternak (Skryabin's favorite student). The setting that surrounded Skryabin has still remained the same: composer's piano, library, paintings, and art collections. Lunch.

Tour Tolstoy’s city estate-museum. The museum preserves everything in this estate just the way it used to be during the time when Tolstoy lived here with his wife and their 10 children. You will Tolstoy’s piano, hear a wals that Tolstoy wrote himself (Tolstoy was not only a word famous writer he also loved music). At the big guest room it will be easy to imagine how a hundred something years ago Skriabin, Rakhmaninov, Rimskiy Korsakov, Shalyapin sat around the folding table for “the Big Tea” – a special Tolstoy tradition and performed here. Dinner. Departure to Pskov (about 7 p.m.) First class train (2 slippers per room).

Day 6:

Early morning arrival in Pskov

Coffee stop.

City tour.

Pskov lies in the north - west of Russia, on the border with Estonia, between St. Petersburg, (Pskov is 280 km far away from St. Petersburg) and Riga (Latvian). It was first mentioned in chronicles in 903. Olga, the first Russian Christian woman and a wise governor of Russia founded it more then 1100 years ago. Pskov - one of Russia's oldest and most beautiful cities, it boasts one of the greatest numbers of extant historical monuments - over 300. The earliest go back to the 12 th century, the latest to the early 20 th. There is a natural combination of ancient monuments (fortified walls with towers, churches and monasteries, and merchant's chambers) and modern buildings. During the city tour we will see ancient Pskov Kremlin with the Trinity Cathedral dating back to the 10th c., the Pagankin Trade yard (civilian houses, merchant chambers, currently a state Museum embracing a collection of the XII century icons and silver crafts), the tremendous Alexander Nevskiy monument at the entrance to the city, the Mirozhskiy monastery (a pearl of the Russian architecture with unique frescoes dating back to the XII century, currently under the protection of the UNESCO). Famous Russian's poet Pushkin wrote a cycle of poems in the Pskov province. Alexander Pushkin lived in the village of Mihailowskoye. The masterpieces of poetry and prose he created there have enriched the treasure-chest of world literature.

Two great Russian composers, connected with music and friendship, lived and worked in Pskov region.

The village of Karevo is the birthplace of the composer Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881). Not far away from Karevo in the village of Naumovo there was an estate of his mother's parents. The creator of "Boris Godunov" and «Khovanshchina» believed that the impressions he drew from the local folk songs, tales and sayings nourished his music. Mussorgsky is appreciated as the first composer who introduced the impersonation of the people's character to the world of music at large.

Another Russian composer, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, lived in a picturesque place called Wechasha, he wrote eight of his operas there, including «Sadko», "The Tsar's Bride", "The Tale of Tsar Sultan" and "The Tale of the Invisible Town of Kitezh". This is what the composer used to say: "In my works. I am a worshipper of nature." Rimsky-Korsakov died on his Lyubensk estate by his favorite Pesno Lake. The Rimsky-Korsakov museum is opened at the Lyubensk-Vechasha reserve (13 km from Plyussa). The Naumovo estate is now the Mussorgsky museum. (not far away from VelikiyeLuki).

Lunch. Check in

Tour Izborsk and Pechory

Under Izborsk's fortress (9 century) there still flow springs, called "the Slavensky springs". It is wonderful springs of Youth, a Love and Beauty. Outdoors, Izborsk's beauty and diversity offer fun for every season. There are still ancient caves in the Pechorsky ancient Monastery. Izborsk fortress is located 32 km west of Pskov. In The Tale of Bygone Years - the most outstanding literary work of Kievan Russia - Izborsk was mentioned in one of the first chapters, when in 862 three Varangian princes were asked by the Slavs to rule over their towns. One of them, Truvor, became a prince of Izborsk. In the 14-16th centuries Izborsk was a reliable outpost of Pskov, its "younger brother".

Pechory (20 km of Izborsk, 52 km of Pskov) is a tiny neat town, located on the very Estonian border. Its main attraction is Pskov's Monastery of the Caves. Founded in 1473, the monastery has never been closed. The magnificent architectural ensemble of the monastery was formed over many centuries, and nowadays its extraordinary beauty makes a great impression on everyone who comes here for the first time. The perfectly preserved powerful fortress of the 16th century was an impregnable outpost in the western part of the Russian state. At the same time, the monastery was one of the largest cultural centers of ancient Russia. Chronicles and literary works were written here, as well as priceless samples of Russian painting, applied art and jewelry were made and collected by the monks. The name of the monastery was derived from the Old Russian word "pechera" meaning "cave", as the monastery originated from the caves. The caves are located in a steep sandy slope of the Kamenets Stream, in a hill that was considered as a holy site since pagan times. Amazing climatic conditions (the constant temperature in the caves is +5°C all the year round) made the caves a convenient refuge for the people who wished to live in solitude away from the distractions of the world. The ancient caves are an enormous burial vault where nearly 10 000 people are buried - monks, worries, statesmen, peasants and townspeople. The first monastery church was also a cave church. The contemporary appearance of the monastery is unusually picturesque. The fortress walls surround the wonderful architectural ensemble consisting of the churches of 15 - 19th centuries, a big belfry (with complete set of the ancient bells) and originally household constructions. Now the cloister has 11 churches, three among them are of cave type. Seventy monks live in the monastery. The monastery has a restoration of the icons, wonderful children choir.

Optional concert of Children Choir .

Dinner.

Day 7:

Tour of the Alexander Pushkin Estate-Museum

(all day)

120 km south-east of Pskov there stands the Holy Hills Monastery with its old Cathedral of Dormition (16th century). The greatest Russian poet of the 19th century Alexander Pushkin is buried by its walls not far away from his favorite Mikhailovskoye estate. It was here in the Pskov countryside that Pushkin's poetry was moulded and his genius flourished. The wonderful estates of Trigorskoye (the estate of the poet's friends, the Osipov-Wolf family) and Petrovskoye (the estate of Pushkin's great grandfather Abraham Hannibal) were a source of delight and wonder for the poet. At Mikhailovskoye, where Pushkin had to spend "two inconspicuous years living in exile", he wrote over 100 works including the country chapters of his major novel Eugene Onegin, the drama Boris Godunov, the lyrical poem A Magic Moment I remember… Through all his life, Pushkin carried his passionate love for Mikhailovskoye.

A magic moment I remember.

A magic moment I remember:

I raised my eyes and you were there,

A fleeting vision, the quintessence

Of all that`s beautiful and rare.

I prey to mute despair and anguish,

To vain pursuits the world esteems,

Long did I near your soothing accents,

Long did your features haunt my dreams.

Time passed. A rebel storm-blast scattered

The reveries that once were mine

And I forgot your soothing accents,

Your features gracefully divine.

In dark days of enforced retirement

I gazed upon grey skies above

With no ideals to inspire me,

No one to cry for, live for, love.

Then came a moment of renaissance,

I looked up - you again are there,

A fleeting vision, the quintessence

Of all that’s beautiful and rare.eople come to pay tribute to the poet.

Dinner in Pskov

Day 8:

Depart for Saint Petersburg

Departure to St Petersburg (about 300 kilometers) with a stop at N.Rimsky-Korsakov museum. The museum-Reserve - consists of N.Rimsky-Korsakov’s own country-seat, Loubensk and the neighbouring estate of S.Ogareva, Vechasha. Rimsky-Korsakov spent six summers (1894-1905) at Vechasha . This place with its large ancient park on the bank of the poetical Lake Pesno was quiet and comfortable for creative work. There the composer worked on his operas: "The Christmas Night", "Sadko", "The Tsar's Bride", "The Tale of Tsar Saltan" and "The Legend of the Invisible Town Kitez".

Lunch

Arrive to St. Petersburg.

City tour and canal cruise

Dinner.

Day 9:

Tour the Hermitage and Alexandrinsky Theatre

Hermitage tour.

Lunch

Visit to Music and theatre Museum.

St.Petersburg State Museum of Theatre and Music is located in the historical centre of the city, in the building, which belongs to one of the most splendid architectural ensembles of the city - the ensemble of Alexandrinsky Theatre. This architectural masterpiece, as well as the street, bearing nowadays the name of its creator, was built by the great Carlo Rossi.

In 1840 in one of the buildings, surrounding the Theatre, the office of the Imperial Theatres Management settled. It was here that the fate of Russian Theatre was decided. Here the contracts with famous actors were signed. Modest Mussorgsky, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Alexander Ostrovsky, Anton Chekhov and other great men of Russian theatre brought here their works to be produced on the stage.

In 1918 the Management was reorganized and it was decided to organize the first in St.Petersburg theatre museum.

Tour of the local down town (or free time)

Evening performance.

Day 10:

Visit St. Petersburg conservatory & Rimskiy-Korsakov Museum

Tour the classes and learn the history of this world famous music school. See where Shostakovich studied and Chaikovskiy taught. Meet one of the professors (have to confirm that) possibly Shostakovich student.

Lunch.

Visit Rimskiy-Korsakov Museum.

The second N.Rimsky-Korsakov museum is in the apartment where N.Rimsky-Korsakov spent his last fifteen years, at 28, Zagorodny Prospect, St.Petersburg. It was opened for visitors from the end of 1971.

From 1918 this apartment was occupied by strangers. Rimsky-Korsakov's children and grandchildren kept all the things from there for 50 years at their apartments. They presented more than 250 of these articles, as a gift, to the museum for them to be put in their former places. Thanks to this, it was possible to restore the study, the drawing room, the dining room and the hall. So a museum was created, which is unique by its authenticity.

At the time N.Rimsky-Korsakov lived there he composed eleven operas, most his romances and others. Many musicians, among them A. Glasunov, I.Stravinsky, S.Rakhmaninov,visited him in his apartment and performed their compositions here; Shaliapin sang here romances of Rimsky-Korsakov and other composers.

Tour Dostoevskiy area of St. Petersburg (near Rimskiy Korsakov museum) see the writer lived and where events described in “Crime and Punishment” took place.

Evening Perfomance.

Day 11:

Tour Pushkin and the Shalyapin museum and museum of Russian Opera

Visit Shalyapin museum and museum of Russian Opera (It is one museum) Fyodor Shalyapin, the world-famous opera singer of the late 19th - early 20th century, makes an epoch in Russian art. His magic voice (nowadays only in recordings) touches the souls of his listeners throughout the years. This late 18th century detached house was Shalyapin's last address in Russia, before he immigrated to Paris in 1922. Exposition of the Museum (since 1988) covers different periods of creative life of Shalyapin performing at many Russian theatres, including the Bolshoi Theatre, the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, and abroad. There are many playbills of the performances, sketches of his costumes by prominent Russian artists and costumes themselves in the Museum, as well as some drawings by Shalyapin. Among the photographs are some pictures of the Shaliapin's performance in 1907 at "The Russian Historical Concert" in Paris, which became a prelude to the famous "Russian Seasons" in Paris. Lunch in the garden.

Tour Pushkino (Tsarskoe Selo) summer palace and garden. Farewell Dinner. Evening performance.

Day 12.

Transfer to the airport and departure