Russian National Library

Well, I managed to get the correct documentation organized and get the necessary ID card in order to gain access to the collection at the Russian National Library. It was relatively painless, at least compared to the Russian National Archives. There seems to be a good amount of 18th-century music at the library.....it's going to be a matter of being very organized and selective about what I need. I will be there for several days, for sure!

Last night, I went to the ballet - Sergei Prokofiev's "Romeo & Juliet" at the Mariinksy Theatre. The Mariinsky Ballet was known as the Kirov Ballet during the Soviet era. Like the city itself, name changes are a big part of many things here: pre-Soviet, Soviet, post-Soviet names. It's pretty crazy. Anyway, the ballet was absolutely wonderful. I know that I will likely never see another as sublime or moving. The walk home after was quite nice - the sun still above the horizon at 11:00 p.m. It is the White Nights, after all.