The Tsar's Bride

On March 28 (the 17th Old Style), 1776, Catherine II granted Prosecutor Prince Pyotr Urusov a privilege to organize performances, masquerades, balls, and other entertainments for a period of ten years. This date is considered the founding day of the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre. The Bolshoi building that has been perceived for many years as one of the main landmarks of Moscow opened on August 20, 1856, during the coronation of Alexander II. On October 29, 2002, the theatre troupe received the New Stage, which hosted its activities during the years of the large-scale reconstruction of the historical building. This reconstruction lasted from July 1, 2005, to October 28, 2011. It restored many lost features of the famous building's historical appearance and placed it among the most technically equipped theatre buildings in the world. The Bolshoi Theatre is an enduring symbol of Russia for all time. It earned this honorary role thanks to its significant contribution to the history of Russian art. History continues, and many bright pages are still being written by the artists of the Bolshoi Theatre.