BOLSHOI THEATER, Exterior And Interior

As you can see, the architecture of the Theatre is monumental right from the entrance, which is topped by an imposing bronze sculpture from 1825 of "Apollo in the chariot of the sun" by Petr Klodt. The neoclassical pediment is decorated with a bas-relief added by Alberto Cavos during the theater's second reconstruction, depicting two angels lifting the lyre of Apollo.

Now pause and press play again once you're inside.

You have just entered an enormous room decorated with black and white tiles, where beautiful white marble staircases rise to the foyer, the atrium adjacent to the theater itself. The latter extends on the first floor over the entire central part of the building.

The foyer leads to the auditorium, which has 6 levels and 2,500 seats; in the center of the theater, the royal dais has been reconstructed, the most magnificent dais of the 120 others that make up the theater's seating area: it is covered in red velvet and is easily distinguished by the symbol of the imperial crown.

Ten beautiful panels painted by Petr Titov decorate the ceiling with scenes of Apollo dancing with the nine muses of Greek mythology....