“St. Petersburg Vedomosti” as a source on the history of musical and theatrical relations of the Russian Empire and Europe in the 30s of the XVIII century

the purpose of this article is to examine the content of the articles in the newspaper «St. Petersburg Vedomosti» as a source source on the history of cultural cooperation between the Russian Empire and Europe during the reign of Empress Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740). This article presents the results of work with the materials of the newspaper on the basis of using the methods of historical cognition and semantic analysis of texts published in the 30s of the XVIII century. The significance of this type of historical sources for studying the process of formation and development of musical and theatrical relations as one of the significant spheres of interstate relations between Russia and Europe is determined. The authors note that cultural relations in the sphere of musical theater between the states in the 30s of the XVIII century had a significant impact on the formation of the image of Russia in the eyes of the West European audience as an enlightened empire and contributed to the legitimization of the imperial status of Russia in the eyes of the monarchs of European states. In this regard, the search for and study of new sources on this historical problematic acquire special relevance, as they allow us to reveal new, previously unexplored aspects of the historical process of acquiring and strengthening the Russian state's status of a great power in the Age of Enlightenment.

St. Petersburg Vedomosti, history of international relations, Russia and Europe, cultural ties, musical-theater ties, Anna Ioannovna, Age of Enlightenment