The Hermitage Theatre . . . Then and Now . . .
The 1903 Costume Ball in the Winter Palace was a luxurious and now famous ball held during the reign of Emperor Nicholas II. It was held in the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, in two stages, on 24 (O.S. 11) February an ‘Evening’ took place, and 26 (O.S. 13) February the Costume Ball itself.
All the guests wore bejewelled 17th-century style costumes, made from designs by the artist Sergey Solomko (1867-1928), in collaboration with historical experts.
The entire Imperial family and members of the nobility posed for a now historic photo in their costumes, Tsar Nicholas as Tsar Alexei Mikkhailovich (1629-1676), the Tsaritsa Alexandra as Tsarina Mariya Ilyinichna (1624-1669), in the Hermitage Theatre, many wearing priceless original items brought specially from the Kremlin. It would be that last photograph taken of the entire Imperial family together.
