Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre Review

Moscow's "big" (bolshoi means "big") and oldest theater, formerly known as the Great Imperial Theater, was completely rebuilt after a fire in 1854. Lenin made his last public speech here, in 1922. Its main building, closed for many years for renovation, is expected to reopen in 2011. Even if the Old Stage remains closed when you go, you can still see performances at the Novaya Tsena (New Stage) to the left of it. Renovation on the front of the exterior was already complete at the time of this writing, with the building's stately colonnade and chariot of Apollo atop it once again in full view on Teatralnaya Square. The interior is dressed in crimson and gold and is similarly grand. All this splendor is matched by the quality of the resident opera and ballet troupes, two of the most famous performing-arts companies in the world. If you want to see a performance at the Bolshoi, be sure to book one of its 2,155 seats as far ahead as possible on it Web site, because performances can sell out quickly. To the left of the Bolshoi is the RAMT (Russian Academic Youth Theater), which puts on performances with a talented group of young actors. This is where you'll find the Bolshoi's main ticket office. The plaza, with fountains and fine wooden benches, is a nice spot for a relaxing look at the theater.