The orchestra of the Shalyapin Theater brings to the stage a large symphonic machine that can hold attention in a single breath. The program for the evening has not yet been announced - making it all the more interesting to wait and see what route the musicians will choose: from recognized classics to compositions of our time and rare finds in the repertoire. When a large symphonic ensemble gathers on stage, sound begins to work like architecture: it builds space, maintains tension, and changes the scale of perception. This evening, the orchestra of the Saint Petersburg State Musical Theater named after F. I. Shalyapin performs, known for its projects on its own stage and concert programs in the leading halls of the city. The program will be published later. This is an important detail to consider: it is not possible to tune in to specific authors' names in advance. Instead, there is a rare feeling of anticipation - like before opening a book, where the quality of performance is known, but the first page is unknown. The ensemble was created on June 1, 2016, and its artistic director became Fabio Mastrangelo. Over the years, the orchestra has built a wide repertoire: academic music from different eras, Russian and foreign scores, compositions by contemporary composers. The geography of performances is also diverse - from philharmonic programs to festival projects; in 2019, the orchestra participated in the "Russian Seasons" in Germany and traveled to Italy and Estonia. The orchestra has collaborated with pianists Ekaterina Mechetina, Polina Ositinskaya, and Stanislav Chigadaev, violinists Dmitry Sitkovetsky and Alexey Lundin, cellists Sergey Roldugin and Denis Shapovalov, as well as singers Ildar Abdrazakov, Larisa Dolina, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, and Svetlana Kasyan. Such a circle of partners speaks of the flexibility of the ensemble: it knows how to accompany a soloist while maintaining its own character.