Dead Souls

On March 28 (March 17 Old Style), 1776, Catherine II granted Prince Pyotr Urusov the privilege of organizing theatrical performances, masquerades, balls, and other entertainments for a ten-year period. This date is considered the founding day of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre. The current Bolshoi building, long regarded as one of Moscow's primary landmarks, opened on August 20, 1856, during the coronation of Alexander II. On October 29, 2002, the theatre company received its New Stage, which hosted performances during the extensive reconstruction of the historic building. This reconstruction lasted from July 1, 2005, to October 28, 2011, restoring many lost historical features while making it one of the most technically advanced theatres in the world. The Bolshoi Theatre remains an enduring symbol of Russia, a status earned through its significant contributions to Russian art. Its history continues to be written by the artists of the Bolshoi Theatre today.