Moscow. The Bolshoi theatre.

The Bolshoi theatre history is however majestic, so and is confused. The theatre repeatedly burnt, its troupe was restored, reconstructed, merged and separated. And even dates of birth at the Bolshoi theatre two. Why? Initially years the Bolshoi theatre counted from that day when on the Theatre square there was an eight-columned theatre executed magnificence with a chariot of god Apollo over a portico - the Big Petrovsky theatre which building became the present event for Moscow the XIX-th century beginnings. The fine building in the classical style, inside decorated in red-gold tone, by a recognition of contemporaries, was the best theatre in Europe and on scales conceded only Milan "La Scala".

Its opening has taken place on January, 6th (18), 1825. In honour of this event the prologue «the Celebration of muses» M.Dmitriev with A.Aljabeva and A.Verstovskogo's music has been given. In it it was allegorically represented, as the Genius of Russia by means of muses on theatre Medoksa ruins creates new fine хискусства - the Big Petrovsky theatre.

However the troupe by which forces «the Celebration of muses» has been shown caused general delight, existed by then already half a century.

The beginning to it was put by the provincial public prosecutor prince Peter Vasilevich Urusov in 1772. The highest pleasure «on March, 17th (28), 1776 has followed to contain to it theatrical any representations, and also concerts, воксалы and masquerades, and except it, to anybody any similar amusements not to permit during all time appointed under the privilege that to it to blasting was not».

Three years later it has submitted the application to empress Catherine II about delivery of the ten years' privilege on the maintenance of Russian theatre in Moscow, having taken up obligations to construct for troupe a constant theatrical building. Alas, the first Russian theatre in Moscow in the Big Petrovsky street has burnt down even before opening. It has resulted in decline of business of the prince. It has transferred affairs to the partner, Englishman Michael Medoksu - to the person active and enterprising. Thanks to it on the waste ground regularly flooded with Neglinkoj, contrary to all fires and wars, the theatre which in due course has lost the geographical prefix Petrovsky and remained in the history has grown is simple as Bolshoj (Big).