Difference between revisions of "Bolshoi Theater" - New World Encyclopedia
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The '''Bolshoi Theatre''' ({{lang-ru|Большой театр}}, ''Bol'shoy Teatr, Large Theater'') is a theater and opera company in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]], which gives performances of [[ballet]] and [[opera]]. The theater was home to | The '''Bolshoi Theatre''' ({{lang-ru|Большой театр}}, ''Bol'shoy Teatr, Large Theater'') is a theater and opera company in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]], which gives performances of [[ballet]] and [[opera]]. The theater was home to | ||
| − | ==Name== | + | ==Significance of the Name== |
The name comes from the Russian word, ''Большой'' "Bolshoi," which means either "large" or "grand." In [[Moscow]] and [[St Petersburg]], there were only two theaters, one of them intended for opera and ballet (these were known as the ''Bolshoi'' Theaters) and another one for [[tragedy|tragedies]] and [[comedy|comedies]]. As [[opera]] and [[ballet]] were considered nobler than drama, the opera house was named the "Grand Theater" and the drama theater, or "Small Theater" was known as the "Maly" theater (''Малиый'' "Maly" is the Russian for "little"). | The name comes from the Russian word, ''Большой'' "Bolshoi," which means either "large" or "grand." In [[Moscow]] and [[St Petersburg]], there were only two theaters, one of them intended for opera and ballet (these were known as the ''Bolshoi'' Theaters) and another one for [[tragedy|tragedies]] and [[comedy|comedies]]. As [[opera]] and [[ballet]] were considered nobler than drama, the opera house was named the "Grand Theater" and the drama theater, or "Small Theater" was known as the "Maly" theater (''Малиый'' "Maly" is the Russian for "little"). | ||
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[[Image:Bale45825.jpeg|250px|right|thumb|At the Bolshoi Theatre School in Joinville, Brazil]] | [[Image:Bale45825.jpeg|250px|right|thumb|At the Bolshoi Theatre School in Joinville, Brazil]] | ||
| − | The Bolshoi has been associated from its beginnings with ballet, and is home to the Bolshoi Ballet troupe. Tchaikovsky's ballet ''[[Swan Lake]]'' premiered at the theater on Saturday, March 4, 1877. | + | The Bolshoi has been associated from its beginnings with ballet, and is home to the Bolshoi Ballet troupe. Tchaikovsky's ballet ''[[Swan Lake]]'' premiered at the theater on Saturday, March 4, 1877. Prior to the [[Russian Revolution of 1917]] the Bolshoi Ballet was second in national importance behind the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg. However, after the Revolution, the capital moved to [[Moscow]] and the Bolshoi Ballet gained in national prominence. Even some of the dancers from the Imperial Ballet moved to the Bolshoi Ballet. |
==Current status of the Bolshoi== | ==Current status of the Bolshoi== | ||
The main Bolshoi (the "big" one and the primary subject of this article) is currently closed for restoration work. | The main Bolshoi (the "big" one and the primary subject of this article) is currently closed for restoration work. | ||
| − | + | The New Bolshoi theater, adjacent to it, continues to stage an extensive repertory of concerts and performances. | |
| − | The New Bolshoi theater, adjacent to it, continues to stage an extensive repertory of concerts and performances. | ||
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==Music directors== | ==Music directors== | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| − | *The [[Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre]] used to exist in [[Saint Petersburg]]. It stood next to the Circus Theatre (rebuilt in 1860 as the [[Mariinsky | + | *The [[Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre]] used to exist in [[Saint Petersburg]]. It stood next to the Circus Theatre (rebuilt in 1860 as the [[Mariinsky Theater]]), but it was replaced in the 1890s by the present-day building of the [[Saint Petersburg Conservatory|St. Petersburg Conservatory]]. It was at St. Petersburg's Bolshoi that the first great Russian operas, [[Mikhail Glinka|Glinka]]'s ''[[A Life for the Tsar]]'' and ''[[Ruslan and Lyudmila]]'', were premiered. |
*The Bolshoi Ballet has a branch at the Bolshoi Theatre School in [[Joinville]], [[Brazil]]. | *The Bolshoi Ballet has a branch at the Bolshoi Theatre School in [[Joinville]], [[Brazil]]. | ||
*The Bolshoi served as a recording studio for Comrade Lenin when they began recording their first album after a fire destroyed the Mosrecordings MRU. | *The Bolshoi served as a recording studio for Comrade Lenin when they began recording their first album after a fire destroyed the Mosrecordings MRU. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 05:42, 29 July 2007
The Bolshoi Theatre (Russian: Большой театр, Bol'shoy Teatr, Large Theater) is a theater and opera company in Moscow, Russia, which gives performances of ballet and opera. The theater was home to
Significance of the Name
The name comes from the Russian word, Большой "Bolshoi," which means either "large" or "grand." In Moscow and St Petersburg, there were only two theaters, one of them intended for opera and ballet (these were known as the Bolshoi Theaters) and another one for tragedies and comedies. As opera and ballet were considered nobler than drama, the opera house was named the "Grand Theater" and the drama theater, or "Small Theater" was known as the "Maly" theater (Малиый "Maly" is the Russian for "little").
History
"The first school opened in 1738 and directed by J.B.Lande was known as the Imperial Ballet School, and later became known as the Vaganova St.-Petersburg Academy. 1773 saw the opening of another ballet school in a Moscow orphanage, which laid the beginning for the still present Moscow Choreography College." The company was founded in 1776 by Prince Peter Urussov and Michael Maddox. Initially it gave performances in a private home, but in 1780 it acquired the Petrovka Theater and began producing plays and operas.
The current building was built on Theater Square in 1824 to replace the Petrovka Theater, which had been destroyed by fire in 1805. It was designed by architect Andrei Mikhailov, who had built the nearby Maly Theatre in 1824. At that time, all the Russian theaters were imperial property.
During the Imperial era, St. Petersburg was the most important cultural center. The St. Petersburg Bolshoi Theater (demolished in 1886) name was Imperial Bolshoi Kamenny Theater.
The Bolshoi Theater built in Moscow was originally called the Imperial Bolshoi Theater of Moscow. The theater was inaugurated on 18 January 1825. Initially it presented only Russian works, but foreign composers entered the repertoire starting from 1840. A fire in 1853 caused extensive damage; reconstruction was carried out by Albert Kavos, son of Caterino Kavos, an opera composer, and reopened in 1856. During World War II, the theater was damaged by a bomb but was promptly repaired.
The Bolshoi has been the site of many historic premieres including Tchaikovsky's Voyevoda and Mazeppa, and Rachmaninoff's Aleko and Francesca da Rimini.
Ballet
The Bolshoi has been associated from its beginnings with ballet, and is home to the Bolshoi Ballet troupe. Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater on Saturday, March 4, 1877. Prior to the Russian Revolution of 1917 the Bolshoi Ballet was second in national importance behind the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg. However, after the Revolution, the capital moved to Moscow and the Bolshoi Ballet gained in national prominence. Even some of the dancers from the Imperial Ballet moved to the Bolshoi Ballet.
Current status of the Bolshoi
The main Bolshoi (the "big" one and the primary subject of this article) is currently closed for restoration work. The New Bolshoi theater, adjacent to it, continues to stage an extensive repertory of concerts and performances.
Music directors
- Alexander Vedernikov (2001–)
- Mark Ermler (1998–2000)
- Alexander Lazarev (1987–1995)
- Yuri Simonov (1970–1985)
- Gennady Rozhdestvensky (1965–1970)
- Evgeny Svetlanov (1963–1965)
- Alexander Melik-Pashayev (1953–1963)
- Nikolai Golovanov (1948 –1953)
- Ari Pazovsky (1943–1948)
- Samuil Samosud (1936–1942)
- Fuat Mansurov
Notes
- The Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre used to exist in Saint Petersburg. It stood next to the Circus Theatre (rebuilt in 1860 as the Mariinsky Theater), but it was replaced in the 1890s by the present-day building of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. It was at St. Petersburg's Bolshoi that the first great Russian operas, Glinka's A Life for the Tsar and Ruslan and Lyudmila, were premiered.
- The Bolshoi Ballet has a branch at the Bolshoi Theatre School in Joinville, Brazil.
- The Bolshoi served as a recording studio for Comrade Lenin when they began recording their first album after a fire destroyed the Mosrecordings MRU.
External links
- Bolshoi Theatre website (in English and Russian) Retrieved July 28, 2007.
- For Ballet Lovers Only: Bolshoi dancers of the past and of today in biographies and photos Retrieved July 28, 2007.
- Google Maps satellite photo Retrieved July 28, 2007.
- Chief Conductors Retrieved July 28, 2007.
- Bolshoi Theatre School in Brazil website (in English) Retrieved July 28, 2007.
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