Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow (must see)

The Bolshoi Theatre is one of Russia’s leading institutions for opera and ballet, with origins dating to 1776, when Prince Pyotr Urusov received a state privilege from Empress Catherine II to organize theatrical performances, concerts, and masquerades. After several earlier theatre buildings and destructive fires, the Historic Stage in its present form opened in 1856.

The institution became closely associated with the development of Russian classical music, opera, and ballet and remains home to established performing companies. The building took shape through two major phases. Architect Joseph Bové designed the Bolshoi Petrovsky Theatre, which opened in 1825 but was severely damaged by fire in 1853. Architect Albert Cavos subsequently reconstructed and enlarged it, and the theatre reopened in August 1856. Its Neoclassical façade features an eight-column portico crowned by Apollo driving a quadriga, created by sculptor Peter Clodt. Inside, the auditorium is arranged in several tiers around the imperial box, with gilding, red furnishings, ornamental plasterwork, balconies, and a large chandelier. Between 2005 and 2011, an extensive reconstruction restored historical decorative features while modernizing stage machinery, acoustics, and technical facilities. The theatre has played an important role in Russian performing arts. Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake was commissioned by the Bolshoi and received its world premiere here in 1877, choreographed by Julius Reisinger. Its repertoire continues to include Russian works alongside international opera and ballet classics.

Visitors can attend performances on its stages, while guided tours of the Historic Stage provide opportunities to explore the auditorium, foyers, architectural decoration, and theatrical history according to the current schedule.