October 25, 2006 artistic director of Opera Centre, Galina Vishnevskaya celebrated her 80th anniversary. Numerous events have been dated for this jubilee; one of the most important became a solemn celebration and Gala in honor of Galina Vishnevskaya in Tchaikovsky concert hall in Moscow on her birthday.
Celebrations continued in the native city of the singer – Saint Petersburg. November 27, the State Museum Hermitage hosted the solemn awarding ceremony where Galina Vishnevskaya was awarded with memorable symbol “For merits to Saint Petersburg” which was presented by governor of Saint Petersburg Valentina Matvienko. Two productions of the Opera Centre was performed in Hermitage Theatre: November 27 – N. Rimsky Korsakov’s “The Tsar’s bride” accompanied by State Academic Symphonic Orchestra of Mariinsky Theatre, November 29 – P. Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta” accompanied by State Symphonic orchestra of youth musical theatre “Zazerkalie”, conductor – Yaroslav Tkalenko. Novemner 30 – opening ceremony of exhibition “Galina” presented unique displays, photo and video materials from Galina Vishnevskaya’s private archives and Gala featuring soloists of Opera Centre.