Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the newly renovated Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory on June 18. The visit follows a lengthy restoration process that drew the President’s attention and intervention in recent years.

During the visit, the conservatory’s rector, Alexei Vasiliev, briefed Putin on the completed restoration work within the historic building. Putin toured the renovated halls and classrooms, observing the improvements made.

A concert featuring performances by students and teachers was held for the President. Pianist Ilya Papoyan performed Rachmaninoff’s C-sharp minor prelude.

The conservatory’s restoration faced delays, prompting Putin to express his surprise during an August 2023 meeting on construction industry development. He questioned the timeline and emphasized the importance of completing the project.

The restoration gained momentum in 2020 after Putin’s direct involvement. A new contractor, Moscow’s Polytechstroy, was appointed, and control over the project shifted to the state corporation “Unified Customer in the Field of Construction.”

In December of the previous year, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin announced that the conservatory had received a conclusion of conformity, signifying its compliance with project documentation after a decade of repairs.

Putin also inquired about the fate of the conservatory’s old musical instruments, which had served musicians for many years. Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova explained that the old instruments were in poor condition and were being replaced with new, high-quality instruments to enhance the educational process. The old stringed instruments will remain, while the keyboard instruments, which deteriorate more quickly, will be replaced.

The conservatory’s expansion will allow for an increase in student enrollment, including international students. Putin had previously expressed his intention to visit the restored conservatory and assess the completed work.