Where is the Bolshoi Theatre located?
The Bolshoi Theatre is a historic opera house located in Moscow, Russia. Its neoclassical façade is depicted on the Russian 100-ruble banknote.
Questions about Bolshoi Theatre
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who founded the Bolshoi Theatre?
The Bolshoi Theatre traces its founding to a license Catherine II granted Prince Peter Vasilyevich Urusov to organize theatrical performances, balls, and other entertainment. Urusov set up the venture with the English tightrope walker Michael Maddox, and the company began staging plays and operas on the 30th of December 1780.
When did the Bolshoi Theatre reopen after its major renovation?
The Bolshoi Theatre reopened on the 28th of October 2011 after a six-year renovation that began in July 2005. The rebuild restored the theatre's original acoustics and imperial decor, and the venue's new maximum capacity reached 1,740 seats.
How much did the Bolshoi Theatre renovation cost?
Officials placed the Bolshoi Theatre's 2005-2011 renovation cost at 21 billion rubles, about $688 million, though other accounts put the true cost at $1.1 billion, sixteen times the initial estimate. In 2009, prosecutors alleged the lead contractor was paid three times over for the same work.
What happened to Bolshoi ballet director Sergei Filin?
Sergei Filin, the Bolshoi's ballet director, was attacked with sulfuric acid on the 17th of January 2013 and lost much of his eyesight as a result. A male dancer was later charged with the crime.
How many dancers are in the Bolshoi Ballet company?
The Bolshoi Ballet has more than 200 dancers, making it the world's largest ballet company. It is the parent company of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, which also has a branch in Joinville, Brazil.