Текст для чтения. Уровень сложности средний.
It would be an exaggeration to say that I’m a great art-lover, but I really like some kinds of art. I’m especially fond of performing arts, such as cinema, theatre, opera etc.
We don’t have many cinemas in this city, because most of them were either closed down or turned into night clubs and casinos. Though, there still remain several good cinemas in the centre of the city, such as “Aurora”, “Barricade” and “Crystal Palace”. They usually show some thrillers or action-films by famous producers. These cinemas are equipped with dolby-surround system, so, the tickets are quite expensive. Fortunately, they have some special prices for schoolchildren and students.
As for all kinds of concerts, both rock and classical, we’re just lucky living in this city. We have the Academic Cappella, the Philharmonic Society the Conservatoire and many other concert halls.
But most of all I like theatre. I wish I could go there at least once a week. Unfortunately not all the wishes come true. I have to study a lot as I’m willing to enter the university. That’s why leisure is a thing I often have to sacrifice. But from time to time I can afford a holiday, and then I go to the booking office and buy a ticket. I would like to tell you about a visit to the theatre which I enjoyed most of all.
It was about ten mounths ago, when a friend of mine came from Britain. As it was his first visit to this city, I decided to show him the Mariinsky Theatre. Russia is famous for its ballet, so, I bought two tickets for “The Corsair”. Luckily I booked them in advance, because three days before the performance the house was sold out.
Our seats were in the fifth row of the stalls. It was an evening performance and the house was full. When the ballet was already about to begin my friend Tom asked me to tell him who was in the cast, for he couldn’t read Russian. I opened my programme and read that Eugene Ivanchenko was starring and it was his debut.
After the third bell the audience started applauding. The lights went down, the curtain was raised and the ballet began.
The performance was really a success, the whole cast was brilliant and the scenery was magnificient. Both the dancers and the orchestra were at their best. When the curtain fell, my friend couldn’t find the words which could express his excitement and admiration. He always liked entertainment events, but he told me that he would never forget that ballet. He was especially impressed by the prima ballerina. Tom bought a brochure about the history of that ballet and took it with him to Britain.
Слова:
exaggeration — преувеличение
thriller — остросюжетный фильм, триллер
action-film — боевик
to be equipped (with) — быть оборудованным
Philharmonic Society — филармония
Conservatoire — консерватория
to come true — исполняться
in advance — заранее
the house is sold out — все билеты проданы
stalls — партер
cast — исполнители
to be starring — исполнять главную роль
audience — публика, зрители
scenery — декорации
balcony — балкон
box — ложа
dress circle — бельэтаж
gallery — галерка
