Once upon a time, wealthy Russians built magnificent palaces on the forested banks of the Moscow River, surrounded them with formal parks, filled them with art and music, and invited illustrious guests to month-long parties with theater, dining, music, fireworks and romantic strolls under the stars. Today this tradition is being revived along ritzy Rublyovo-Uspenskoye Shosse -- behind 3-meter fences patrolled by guard dogs. But if you can't wangle an invitation from an oligarch, don't despair. Enjoy the real thing: a series of concerts called Music at Arkhangelskoye.
The Arkhangelskoye estate, once owned by the Golitsyn family, was purchased in 1810 by Prince Nikolai Yusupov. He and his descendants poured millions of rubles into the estate to create a Russian Versailles, with a priceless art collection, a library, a theater and even a park of exotic animals. It hosted a pantheon of Russian and foreign luminaries.
Now a museum, Arkhangelskoye has revived its tradition of summer music festivals. Concerts are held in the cozy Kladovaya nad Ovragom or the elegant Colonnade at 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. This weekend, you can enjoy Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier"; on July 29 and 30, you can hear Russian and Italian vocal works. Next month, the program will include more classical music, a jazz festival, and -- on Aug. 19 and 20 -- a folk extravaganza, featuring a crafts fair, costumed entertainers, music and fireworks.
Tickets for the classical music concerts can be purchased at the door. It's best to arrive in the early afternoon, pick up your tickets and enjoy several hours strolling the stately formal gardens and the shady paths that artfully meander through the woods.
Cosmos
President
