Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow

The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow has been putting on shows and ballets since 1776 and is still a popular and splendid venue for classical entertainment.

Originally, I had always thought the theatre only hosted the Bolshoi Ballet but it also hosts operas. Check the website for an up-to-date running list. The website also offers on-line booking with an excellent display of the theatre so you know exactly where you will be sitting. Tickets can be collected from the theatre and are very reasonably priced.

The tickets state that cameras are not allowed in the theatre but it is fine to take them along as long as you don't try to take pictures of the show.

I think it's fair to say I am not the most cultured person on VT but it is definitely worth getting dressed up and taking your partner along to a show here.

Bolshoy means big, so this is a big theatre. Built in 1824, the theatre was the second biggest theatre in the world after Milan’s "La Scala". Besides, it is one of the best opera theatres in the world. It is hard or expensive to buy a ticket, but if you manage to do this, you will not regret it.

You might not be a ballet lover, but I promise you after you have seen Spartacus or others you will regret it not having been there earlier – it is just wonderful.

This can be considered as Russia's state theatre.

There has been a theatre here since the late 18th century and Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

Initially overshadowed by St Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre, the Bolshoi didn't really hit the high notes until the 1950s, when foreign tours won great acclaim for its ballet and opera companies.

Everyone wants to go to the Bolshoi, and I was no exception.

Getting seats was a little difficult since I did not speak Russian, but every kiosk sells tickets, so you should be able to get at least something the day of your show.

There are actually two Bolshoi stages--the old theater pictured here, and the new stage to its left. The stages alternate their content--one is showing opera while the other shows ballet. I was a bit disappointed to have to go to the new stage on the night I wanted to see ballet, but I was pleased to find that it was lovely and elegant in its own right.

My ticket (to a minor Shostakovich ballet) cost about $35. Champagne and sandwiches at intermission were expensive and small portioned. Don't go hungry.

No, not to dance a ballet but to watch a performance ;-)

At the Bolshoy, if possible.
If not, plenty of places with good performances.

This is my first time watching a ballet worldwide.
So, it was a special moment for me.
Well, not really a moment, more like 3 hours of it.
Nonetheless, the first time is always memorable & hopefully a pleasant memory.
In this case, it is! :-)

I went to see a wonderful children's ballet Chippolino at the Bolshoi over the weekend with my son. While the show was geared more towards children and not so much on the dramatic high split jumps and romantic pairs dancing, it was still quite fun to see. The story takes place in a fairytale world where the fruits and vegetables are all alive. The little onion (chippolino) steps on the King Lemon's toe and King Lemon arrests Chippolino's father. With the help of his friend little cherry and magnolia, Chippolina fights the evil Singor Tomato and the Lemon guards and restores the fairy tale land to a place of happiness and peace. While it is deffinatly a childrens fairy tale, it was written during soviet times and is about revolution.

A couple notes for those looking to visit the
Bolshoi:

1) If you are looking to see a ballet, make sure you buy ballet tickets, the theatre also has the Bolshoi opera and I have seen people very upset when they thought they were going to the ballet and were surprised with an opera instead.

2) Don't buy your tickets on the internet, they are WAY to expensive. There is a ticket office next to the Bolshio. If you are looking at the theatre, the building on your left (across the small street) is the main ticket office and you can get good tickets for about $10-$20

People! This is one of the places that must be seen at least once than heard 100 times:))))
Big Opera House or Bolshoy Theatre is the greatest theatre In Moscow with its more than 150year history:)
Here you can see the best ballets and listen to the best operas. The repertoire and the quality of performance hasn't changed since it was foundedsomewhere in 1820-22.

This must be one of the most famous theatres in the world.
The theatre has some amazing productions with some well known celebrities. Unfortunately you have to time your visit so that the stars are not on tour abroad. These tours are becoming all the more frequent due to the unstable finances of the theatre and of the country in general.

The most famour premiere to be staged at the theatre was Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky in 1877. It has also staged political events such as Lenin unveiling a statue of Marx and Engels in front of the theatre a year after the Russian Revolution.