The renovations on the Bolshoi have finally been completed after being the subject of corruption, faulty construction plans, and unforeseen volume of repairs. Many of which fell into the catagory of “unavoidable” and if we don’t do them the foundation will “crumble like a deck of cards”.
Overall, total renovations had the price tag of over $700 million USD, but considering it has survived 3 fires, a few WWII bombings and overall 150 years of neglect - of course many of those were during Soviet times. The bill was high and all the dramatice events that followed it’s struggle back to like could be future subjects for those who compose operas and ballets for such venues. It could even eventually be preformed before 1300 patrons on the Bolshoi’s very own stage.
I had a chance to visit Moscow back in May 2010 and loved it. The pictures above are of what the Bolshoi looked like back then. The front of the theater doesn’t look much different then the post renovated building, but if you look at it during the day you would have seen that the buildings visage is all fake. I found a better daytime picture which shows what I’m talking about. It’s by a fellow traveler named Alan Hadden and it’s here. I was disappointed that it was covered but happy to see that some care was being given to a building that’s not just a theater but a location where many historical events took place. It now has been restored to it’s former glory and I’m looking forward to seeing it someday.
For more information on the Bolshoi please check out the Bolshoi’s official website. It officially opens November 2nd.
