Moscow and St.Peterburg theaters received the most awards in the drama categories: The Aleksandrinsky theater of St. Petersburg received three of the six Golden Mask trophies (Anton Chekhov’s “Seagull” and Nikolay Gogol’s “Marriage,” which got two awards). One more award went to the Big Drama Theater (BDT) another St. Petersburg theater.

The remaining two drama awards were presented to Moscow’s troupes – Pyotr Fomenko Workshop Theatre and Theatrical Art Studio. The Best Actress prize went to Polina Agureeva, who played Larisa in Aleksandr Ostrovsky’s “Fortuneless Young Girl.”

Professor Konstantin Raikin, a cinema and theater actor, presented the awards in these categories, and called the Golden Mask “the most prestigious, most expensive and exciting” award.

The Russian-American choreographic project, entitled “Diana Vishneva: the beauty in motion,” received three prizes at the Golden Mask festival in the ballet category. Vishneva was named the best dancer and was presented her award from the legendary ballerina Maya Plisetskaya. The performance also won the critics’ prize.

“I very much appreciate Diana Vishneva, she is one of the best ballerinas of the world, and, thank God, she is with us,” Plisetskaya told RIA Novosti.

The award for best opera went to “Cinderella” from the musical theatre World Behind the Looking Glass of St. Petersburg.

Renowned state actor of the USSR, Rodion Shchedrin, was named the best composer of Russia for 2009, and received an award for his “Enchanted pilgrim” opera that was performed at the Maryinsky Theater of St. Petersburg.

The full list Golden Mask winners will be much longer. A number of awards, including categories for “Honor and Dignity” and “Support of Theatrical Art in Russia” are to be awarded on Saturday evening at the celebratory ceremony devoted to the 15 anniversary of the award.