The Mariinsky Orchestra is one of the oldest musical ensembles in Russia. It can trace its history back to the early 18th century and the development of the Court Instrumental Chapel. In the 19th century, an extremely important role in the emergence of the Mariinsky Orchestra was played by Eduard Nápravník, who directed it for over half a century. Since 1988, the orchestra has been directed by Valery Gergiev, a musician of the highest order and an outstanding figure in the music world. In 1988 he was appointed Music Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, and in 1996 its Artistic and General Director. Maestro Gergiev’s arrival at the helm ushered in a new era of rapid expansion of the orchestra’s repertoire, which today includes every symphony by Beethoven, Mahler, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. The orchestra performs programmes of symphony music at prestigious concert venues throughout the world.