The Grand Theatre

The Bolshoi Petrovsky Theatre, designed by H. Rozberg, received the first spectators on December 30, 1780. The first performances played on the Bolshoi stage were the allegorical prologue “Wanders” and the pantomime ballet “Magic School”.

The theatre building was destroyed by fire several times. During the reconstruction of 1853-1856, a white-stone portico with eight columns and a bronze quadriga by sculptor Peter Klodt appeared, which became the hallmark of the Bolshoi. The renovated Bolshoi Theatre opened its doors to the audience on August 20, 1856, and since then the building has remained as it is today.

Over 800 works were staged on his stage - from the first Russian operas to works by such Russian and world colossians as Verdi, Wagner, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev. Opera and ballet productions based on Tchaikovsky’s works played a particularly prominent role in the history of the Bolshoi Theatre. The name of the Bolshoi is associated with the names of such luminaries of Russian and world culture as Rubinstein, Rachmaninov, Chaliapin, Ulanova, Plisetskaya and many others.

The Bolshoi Theatre remains the main stage of Russia and one of the greatest theater venues in the world, its repertoire is represented by masterpieces of world classics performed by brilliant stars of Russian opera and ballet.