The famous Bolshoi Theater in Moscow is rightfully considered one of the most grandiose structures of this type in the world. On its stage, the most famous directors stage the most famous performances in the world, the best ballet companies perform here and play amazing operas. Moreover, this theater is no less popular with foreign guests than among Russians, because for many of them it is a real personification of the cultural image of Russia. Let’s get acquainted with the most fascinating facts about the Bolshoi Theater.
25 Fascinating facts about the Bolshoi Theater :
- The first troupe of the Bolshoi Theater consisted of only 43 actors.
- Over the entire time of its existence, more than 800 different performances have been staged on its stage.
- The actors of the Bolshoi Theater from time to time tour Russia and other countries of the world, so you can see famous performances not only in the most famous theater in Russia but also in other places.
- Every spring, tulips are planted in front of the Bolshoi Theater. These are special varieties bred by a Dutch breeder. He was so impressed by the beauty of the majestic building, which he visited during his stay in Moscow, that on his return to the Netherlands he bred two new varieties, named them after the Bolshoi Theater, and presented them to him as a gift.
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- The image of the Bolshoi Theater can be seen on a banknote with a face value of 100 Russian rubles.
- Names are traditionally not translated into other languages. Therefore, in English, for example, it would be correct to say “Bolshoi Theatre“, and not use the words” Big “or” Large”.
- The Apollo quadriga on the hundred-ruble bill is not drawn quite correctly. But the design of the banknote has still not changed since 1995.
- The first building of the Bolshoi Theater burned down in a fire before it was completed, so the construction had to start again.
- The Theater Square in Moscow was named after the Bolshoi Theater. During the Great Patriotic War, the Bolshoi Theater building was disguised as a residential building in order not to attract the attention of German pilots. This helped — during the entire war, only one bomb hit the building, and that, apparently, by accident.
- For two years, from 1941 to 1943, all the theater props were in Samara. He was evacuated there just in case.
- The modern building of the Bolshoi Theater is already the fourth in a row.
- Its first building stood on Petrovka Street, so the theater was called Petrovsky. More precisely, the first one was built, which was the second project in a row. The first project was never completed due to a fire that destroyed the unfinished building.
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- The first Bolshoi Theater on Petrovka was built by the English entrepreneur Michael Meddox.
- The Theater Square in Moscow was named after the Bolshoi Theater.
- One of its buildings burned down in 1812 when Napoleon’s troops entered Moscow, abandoned by Kutuzov. It was restored, but in 1853 it burned down again.
- From 1784 to 1886, St. Petersburg had its own Bolshoi Theater. It ceased to exist when all the performances were moved to the Mariinsky Theater, and the old building was reconstructed. Now it houses the St. Petersburg Conservatory.
- The modern building of the Bolshoi Theater was restored from what was left of the previous building by 1856. Since then, it has been repaired several times. In particular, a new foundation was laid under it, since the previous one stood on stilts, which eventually rotted, which led to the subsidence of one of the walls.
- The famous brocade curtain, nicknamed the golden one, appeared on its stage in 1955. In its original form, it existed for 50 years, and after the reconstruction, the coats of arms with inscriptions were replaced on them and the curtain was returned to operation.
- The very first project of the Bolshoi Theater was started by order of Empress Catherine II
- In the XX century, after the Civil War in Russia, the theater has renamed the Academic. Later, the historical name was returned to it.
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Conclusion :
After the closure of the Bolshoi Theater in St. Petersburg, which was then the capital of Russia, the ruling monarchs and their courtiers repeatedly went to Moscow with one goal — to attend some worthy performance. And at that time, such a path took a lot of time and was associated with several inconveniences.
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