Restoration of St. Petersburg Conservatory Nears Completion, Reopening Planned for New Academic Year

The historic main building of the St. Petersburg State Conservatory is nearing the end of a long-term restoration project and is expected to reopen for students at the start of the 2025 academic year, according to a report by Russia-K on 21 May.

Founded in 1862, the St. Petersburg Conservatory is the oldest music institution in Russia and has trained generations of legendary composers including Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Gnesin. The restoration project, originally scheduled for completion in 2017, faced multiple delays due to unreliable contractors. In recent years, experienced restorers have worked to bring the building back to its former glory.

Among the highlights of the renovation is the Glazunov Small Hall, which has retained its unique spruce-wood acoustics and original decorative details. Restored historical furniture has been returned to the space, preserving its 19th-century character.

The conservatory’s iconic roof—once the setting of a famous wartime photograph of Dmitri Shostakovich in firefighter’s gear—has been modernised. A glass-and-aluminium dome structure, using materials previously reserved for aircraft construction, has added 700 square metres of space to the interior. These areas will soon be transformed into student lounges and public spaces.

In the Grand Hall, engineers have completed digital acoustic testing to ensure the quality of sound matches original architectural plans. Early results have been positive.

Second-year cello student Vladislav Nemtsov, who took part in the test performances, praised the hall’s acoustics: “No matter the register, the sound carries perfectly. This hall truly feels like the heart of the conservatory.”

After more than a decade of closure, the building will soon reopen its doors to a new generation of musicians, continuing its legacy as one of the world’s great conservatories.