The Mikhailovsky Theater (as well as the palace) forms an art square and is named after Prince Michael, the youngest son of Emperor Paul. Catherine the Second, the Great, was the grandmother of Mikhail, and Prince Mikhail himself is called porphyrogenic — he was born to the reigning emperor, unlike his elder brothers, who were born before Paul ascended the throne. In this theater, conducted by Johann Strauss, danced Matilda Kshesinskaya (the love of Russia's last autocrat — Nicholas II), sang Fyodor Chaliapin and performed Sarah Bernard. Translated with Google Translate