Author Archives: Father M
The last of the Romanovs
The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul in St Petersburg is the final resting place for most of the Romanov Tzars. A little gilt on the outside but a lot on the inside. Everyone was keen to see the
The last of the Romanovs
The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul in St Petersburg is the final resting place for most of the Romanov Tzars. A little gilt on the outside but a lot on the inside. Everyone was keen to see the
Mikhailovsky ballet
A wonderful evening at St Petersburg’s Mikhailovsky Theatre for a performance of the ballet ‘Don Quixote’. The Don be the perfect ballet role for me. No dancing, just riding in on a horse and then some prancing around with a
Mikhailovsky ballet
A wonderful evening at St Petersburg’s Mikhailovsky Theatre for a performance of the ballet ‘Don Quixote’. The Don be the perfect ballet role for me. No dancing, just riding in on a horse and then some prancing around with a
Much ado about Mariinski
The original Mariinski Theatre opened in 1860 had a long and illustrious, and is presently closed for renovation. Since 1988 both the ballet company and opera company have been under the artistic leadership of Valery Gergiev, who has implemented many
Much ado about Mariinski
The original Mariinski Theatre opened in 1860 had a long and illustrious, and is presently closed for renovation. Since 1988 both the ballet company and opera company have been under the artistic leadership of Valery Gergiev, who has implemented many
The dead centre – Novodevich
The New Maiden’s Convent (Novodevichy) was the place Tsars sent their former wife or sister either into seclusion (imprisonment) or to become a nun for the rest of their lives. Smolensk Cathedral, built in 1525, (below) is in the Convent
The dead centre – Novodevich
The New Maiden’s Convent (Novodevichy) was the place Tsars sent their former wife or sister either into seclusion (imprisonment) or to become a nun for the rest of their lives. Smolensk Cathedral, built in 1525, (below) is in the Convent
Vrubel jewels
My new favourite potter (majolica) is Mikhail Vrubel 1865-1910. The face above and the fireplace below are in the Tretyakov Museum. This is where my interest was piqued. Vrubel was a frequent visitor to Abramtsevo and Savva Mamontov was a
Vrubel jewels
My new favourite potter (majolica) is Mikhail Vrubel 1865-1910. The face above and the fireplace below are in the Tretyakov Museum. This is where my interest was piqued. Vrubel was a frequent visitor to Abramtsevo and Savva Mamontov was a
Abramtsevo – an artists’ colony
This estate was founded in the 1750s and into the ownership of Sergei Askakov, a writer, in 1853 by which time the main house had been constructed. His books about nature were attractive to many people. Many of his writings
Abramtsevo – an artists’ colony
This estate was founded in the 1750s and into the ownership of Sergei Askakov, a writer, in 1853 by which time the main house had been constructed. His books about nature were attractive to many people. Many of his writings
The Kremlin
Red Square is not red and ‘red’ has nothing to do with communists. Red means beautiful. Not that it was particularly so on the day visited as it had been the site of a concert and they were dismantling the
The Kremlin
Red Square is not red and ‘red’ has nothing to do with communists. Red means beautiful. Not that it was particularly so on the day visited as it had been the site of a concert and they were dismantling the
Tretyakov treasures
I hope I can do justice to today’s exploration of the Tretyakov Gallery of Russian art of the 11rh to early 20th century (pre-Revolution). We begin in the Church of St Nicholas, now forming part of the gallery, and which
Tretyakov treasures
I hope I can do justice to today’s exploration of the Tretyakov Gallery of Russian art of the 11rh to early 20th century (pre-Revolution). We begin in the Church of St Nicholas, now forming part of the gallery, and which
Moscow – not what I expected
Not what you expected when I said “Moscow”. The Metro station – This is our local grocery store – With lots of caviar – And as for the bottle shop – Our hotel is opposite the Kremlin So the view
Moscow – not what I expected
Not what you expected when I said “Moscow”. The Metro station – This is our local grocery store – With lots of caviar – And as for the bottle shop – Our hotel is opposite the Kremlin So the view
In London again
I have returned from my driving sojourn and I am London as you can see from my last post, I had booked a performance of ‘A Very Expensive Poison’ at the Old Vic theatre. I’m staying at one of my
In London again
I have returned from my driving sojourn and I am London as you can see from my last post, I had booked a performance of ‘A Very Expensive Poison’ at the Old Vic theatre. I’m staying at one of my
Father M 