THE BOLSHOI THEATRE IN MOSCOW

The Bolshoi Theatre is one of the largest in Russia and one of the most significant in the world opera and ballet theaters. The theater is located at the Theater Square in Moscow.

It was founded in March 1776 by prince Pyotr Vasilievich Urusov. However, the theatre has survived several fires, and the modern building is a child of an architect Joseph Bove.

Joseph Bove actually carried out the project of the winner of the contest for the design of the new building of the Bolshoi Theatre – Andrei Mikhailov. However, this project was recognized to be too costly. Bovй also revised the design project, while improving it significantly. 

The new building is different from previous ones with its monumental grandeur, commensurate proportions, and harmony of architectural forms, and richness of the interior. 

The Bolshoi Theatre is a compact rectangle in plan with an extended forward portico with eight columns from the Theatre Square. The faзade is decorated with a large sculptural group – Apollo in a chariot with three horses – and is “looking” at the Theatre Square.

In the middle of the front part of the building, there is an entrance to the theatre with grand staircases, the main foyer, a five-tiered audience hall and a stage. Side parts of the building are divided into three floors and are reserved for other rooms of the theatre; besides, there are located entrances to the top tiers.

The present theatre building has gable roof with frontons.