Opera "Life for the Tsar" by Mikhail Glinka is a landmark work that laid the foundation for the Russian opera tradition. It is a musical drama about the heroism of a simple peasant, filled with heroism, faith, and the spirit of the people, in which the voice of Russia itself is heard. Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka's opera "Life for the Tsar" is considered a turning point in the history of Russian musical culture. Created in 1836, it initiated the national opera tradition and became a true symbol of the Russian musical school. The story of Ivan Susanin - a peasant from Kostroma who gave his life to save the tsar and the future homeland - is revealed here not only as a personal drama but also as an epic about the people, faith, and courage. What impresses is not only the content but also the form. Glinka rejected Western European canons and created a truly Russian musical language, using folk melodies, choral traditions, and intonations of Orthodox hymns. The music of the opera breathes the spirit of the people: it is tragic and triumphant, lyrical and heroic, and each number is imbued with emotional sincerity. The choir occupies a special place, not just accompanying the action but becoming the voice of the nation. Its choral polyphony is one of the most expressive elements of the production. The Mariinsky Theatre presents the opera in an edition with the original libretto by Baron Yegor Rosen - exactly in the form intended by the author. This is an important return to the historical background of the work, restoring its spiritual and cultural meanings. Patriotism, self-sacrifice, and the defense of the native land - these central ideas resonate here vividly and powerfully, awakening a sense of belonging and pride in Russian history. We tell on our website where to go with children in St. Petersburg.