From the basement to Apollo’s wreath, Bolshoi Theater restored

The revamped Bolshoi Theater will open its doors to the public on October 28. The theater now has an underground part, historic interiors have been restored, and Apollo on the building’s roof is decorated with a wreath it once lost. And, most importantly, the Bolshoi Theater’s world-famous 19th century acoustics have now been restored. .

In July 2005, the Bolshoi Theater troupe left the historic building, which was closed for reconstruction, for the first time in 150 years.

The Bolshoi Theater restoration was planned with a 2008 completion date, then later for 2009, but delays ensued due to the volume of work.

The restoration gave the theater nearly 30,000 extra square meters including the underground concert and rehearsal hall under Teatralnaya Square with a capacity of 250-300.

The restoration of the stucco molding in the auditorium began in April 2010. The ornate papier mache patterns that adorn the theater’s boxes and tiers were created in 1856 when the building was restored after a devastating fire.

The improvement of the theater’s acoustics is the main achievement of the restoration work.

During the reconstruction, bas reliefs of the coat of arms of the USSR on the building’s façade and over the central Tsar’s Box were replaced with bas reliefs of the original Russian coat of arms dating from 1856 (photo).

The main facade of the Bolshoi Theater was unveiled in 2010. The building’s new “face” looks exactly the same as the “old” one that was projected by architect Albert Cavos in 1856.

The scaffolding concealing the main symbol of the Bolshoi Theater, Apollo’s Quadriga by Peter Clodt, was dismantled on August 6, 2010.

The restored patron of the Muses now appears with a laurel wreath in his right hand, as well as a fig leaf. The elements were previously lost, and restorers copied them from a 19th century photo.

The Bolshoi Theater has been completely restored. Even the columns have been plastered white to conceal the 150 years of saline stains.

The restoration of the famous plafond “Apollo and Muses” took several months.

The auditorium’s main decoration, the grand chandelier, has been restored. It was assembled and installed on the ceiling in June.

The boxes and halls have been decorated with fabrics recreated using 19th-century hand-weaving techniques.

Due to the reconstruction, Russia’s main theater has returned with its halls looking the same as in the 19th century.

Opera and ballet stars will appear on stage on the opening day. Five world-famous opera soloists will take part in the gala show