After meeting your guide in front of the theater, you’ll pass through the tall columns of the building and enter the grand interior. Follow your guide to the main hall of the Bolshoi, a six-tier auditorium handsomely decorated in crimson and gold, and one of the largest theater halls in the world.
The Bolshoi originally opened its doors in 1856 on the coronation day of Tsar Alexander, but was damaged by fires and Soviet-era neglect. Recent restorations have returned the theater to its historical appearance and brought back its legendary acoustics. State-of-the-art machinery and stage equipment have also been added. Your guide will share tales of the six years, thousands of specialists and bundles of money (with attendant scandals) that it took to renovate this world-class theater.
As you walk around the theater, you’ll check out the box seats that were once designated for Russian emperors and are now reserved for the Russian president. Then you’ll stop into the richly adorned Imperial Foyer, where emperors walked with attendants before performances and during intermissions. The architect designed the acoustics of the foyer so that even the emperor’s whisper could be heard throughout the room. You’ll also stroll through the museum of the Bolshoi Theater where you’ll find interpretive displays and memorabilia of the theater’s long history.
This is a chance to visit this historic building without the hassle of buying expensive and hard-to-find tickets. Your guide will provide lively commentary on the history of this Russian architectural treasure, as well as local knowledge about current performances and news.