First Russian Conservatory turns 140

Today the oldest Russian higher musical education institution, the St. Petersburg State Conservatory, celebrates the 140th anniversary.

Together with the Moscow and Paris Conservatories and the Juilliard School (the USA), the conservatory in Russia's northern capital is ranked among the world's most prestigious music schools.

It was founded in 1862 on the initiative of outstanding pianist Anton Rubinstein under the support of the royal family. Such great composers, as Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Alexander Glazunov, Sergei Prokofyev and Dmitry Shostakovich, graduated from this conservatory.

The building, erected on personal instructions of Emperor Alexander III in the end of the 19th century, is the pride of the conservatory. The concert hall with its interior and unique acoustics is considered one of the best chamber halls in Europe.

The International Conservatories' Week festival, opening in St. Petersburg on October 1, will be dedicated to the anniversary of the oldest Russian conservatory.