Gergiev added that he still “doesn’t lose hope of keeping up the tradition in the 21st Century.”

So said, so done – Gergiev has already included “The Heart of a Dog” opera, based on Mikhail Bulgakov’s famous novel into the Mariinsky’s menu. Scheduled to premiere this season is the brainchild of a Russian composer based in Paris, Aleksandr Raskatov, praised by none other than Alfred Schnittke, who once described him as one of the most interesting composers of his generation.

Another landmark opera, “Dead Souls”, based on Gogol’s epic work and set to the music by one of Russia’s most important 20th Century composers, Rodion Schedrin, will be brought together by the cutting-edge stage director of the new breed – Vasily Barkhatov.

However, one of the main highlights of the Mariinsky promises to be Verdi’s “Aida”. It is expected to be staged by entertainer, stage director, writer, choreographer, clown, and author of the ironic “Icaro” – celebrated Swiss artist Daniele Finzi Pasca.