The Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is one of the biggest centres of both Russian and world musical-theatrical culture. It was founded in 1776 in Moscow. The modern yellow and white building with white columns and the sculpture group of horses was constructed in 1825 by the Russian architect Bove.

A standing opera, company was organized in Moscow in 1776. In 1842 Glinka's opera "Life for the Tsar" was for the first time shown at the Bolshoi. At later\times operas by Borodin, Mbussorgsky, Ru­binstein, Tchaikovsky and other famous Russian composers were pro­duced here. At the same ^time the Bolshoi company staged the best operas and ballets by such European composers as Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, Gounod, Delibes and others. The artistry of the Bolshoi, company grew with their work on the masterpieces of world art. The Bolshoi is famous for its ballet. Its ballet company enjoys well-deserved fame as the world's finest. The fame of the Russian ballet is associated with a number of its great masters of choreography. The names of Galina Ulanova and Maya Plisetskaya will be inscribed in golden letters in the history of ballet art.

The State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of Russia was

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founded in Yekaterinburg in 1912. Its first night performance was "Ivan Susanin" by M.Glinka. The chief conductor Sylvio Barbini was at the conductor's stand. In 1924 "The Magic Plute", a one-act ballet, was staged to the music of R.Drigot. It was this performance. that proved² the starting point of the ballet history of the city. Many outstanding singers began their artistic careers in our Opera House. In 1962 the theatre was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of labouf and in 1966 the theatre got its present name of Academic Theatre.

(из книги "Manuel 10th Grade English Oriented School", авт. Meshavkina T.I. Shadrina M.P.)

Notes and Commentary:

1. enjoys wall-deserved fame - пользуется заслуженной славой

2. It was this performance that proved... - именно это представление оказалось

Active Vocabulary:

a company - труппа

to produce (to stage) - поставить (на сцене)

a masterpiece – шедевр

to be famous for - славиться, быть известным

a number of (some) - несколько, ряд

a conductor - дирижер, a conductor's stand - дирижерский пульт

to perform - играть, представлять

performance - игра, представление

Answer the Questions:

1. When was the Bolshoi Theatre founded?

2. What's the name of the architect who built it?

3. What opera did the theatre start its life with?

4. Did the theatre stage operas and ballets by European composers?

5. What can you say about the Bolshoi ballet company?

6. What was the first night performance at Yekaterinburg Opera House? Who was at the conductor's stand?

T. What ballet proved the starting point of the ballet history, of the theatre and the city?

8. Do you often go to the Opera House?

9. What's your favourite opera (ballet)?

10. What's the style of the theatre building?

11. Do you agree that many people call this theatre "The White Swain"?

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12. Do you like the interior of the theatre?

13. Do you like the place the theatre is located in?

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