The
Mariinsky Ballet is the resident
classical ballet company of the
Mariinsky Theatre in
Saint Petersburg, Russia. Founded in the 18th century and originally known as the
Imperial Russian Ballet, the Mariinsky Ballet is one of the world's leading ballet companies. Internationally, the Mariinsky Ballet continues to be known by its former
Soviet name the
Kirov Ballet. The Mariinsky Ballet is the parent company of the
Vaganova Ballet Academy, a leading international ballet school.