Moses Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 After 10+ years of reconstruction and renovation 28 of October Bolshoi will open doors. Worldwide famous theater has 235 years of history. It was first renovation for past 100 years. Prices of tickets to first Gala are even not high but crazy. 90 000 - 2 000 000 russian rubles (3 000 - 70 000 US dollars). All tickets been sold in 3 days. Some pictures of renovation and how it looks after renovation (they aren't my pictures - I found them in russian blogs): Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Wow! It looks gorgeous! I read in The Washington Post recently that the cost of renovations was estimated 2 years ago at US$660 million - 16 times above the original estimate! And it may yet rise to $800 million. Apparently they uncovered major problems with crumbling foundations. A result of too many dancers landing heavily on the stage, maybe? Auditors also discovered a lot of evidence of corruption. What a surprise! Couldn't they have built a new theatre for a lot less? Quote
Moses Posted October 24, 2011 Author Posted October 24, 2011 Wow! It looks gorgeous! I read in The Washington Post recently that the cost of renovations was estimated 2 years ago at US$660 million - 16 times above the original estimate! And it may yet rise to $800 million. Apparently they uncovered major problems with crumbling foundations. A result of too many dancers landing heavily on the stage, maybe? Auditors also discovered a lot of evidence of corruption. What a surprise! Couldn't they have built a new theatre for a lot less? It was very complicated renovation: in 18 century for underground base have been used wooden pylons (oak). At that time ground around theater was very wet cos small river Neglinka was just in 100 meters. Oak is very good when it is in water - it becomes stronger with time under water without oxygen. At the beginnig of 20 century river was isolated in underground canalization. And ground became dry. As result of it oxygen started to destroy oak base. 800 millions isn't cost of renovation of main building (to change base, to replace old parts of construction, to cover with gold all elements of decoration (over 200 kg of gold), to make 3 new curtains with gold knitting, to change all heavy machinery of giant scene and underscene, sound equipment and lights). Price include cost of new one building (second hall for modern ballet and opera), cost of new underground hall for choir concerts, cost of renovation of 2 km metro line for reducing of noise and vibration (it is laying just in 20 meters from base and from underground hall). For example each curtain is over 500 sq. meters. It consists from 3 part (main parts are 12x24 and 17x24 meters) Quote
Moses Posted October 24, 2011 Author Posted October 24, 2011 Oh, I forgot to mention - last one photo is Opera in Paris. It is NOT knitting - it is painting. And it is another - "italian" - style of curtain. Bolshoi will have "italian" curtain too - but a little bit late: it isn't ready yet. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted October 24, 2011 Posted October 24, 2011 Yes, I think the last one is the old Paris Opera in the Palais Garnier - the one with the Chagall painted ceiling. Not the new one at the Bastille. I wonder what the prices will be for regular performances at the renovated Bolshoi? Quote
Moses Posted October 24, 2011 Author Posted October 24, 2011 Yes, I think the last one is the old Paris Opera in the Palais Garnier - the one with the Chagall painted ceiling. Not the new one at the Bastille. I wonder what the prices will be for regular performances at the renovated Bolshoi? Main hall has 1740 seats. There will be 68 free tickets (for disabled), the cheapest 374 tickets will cost app. 3.3 US$ (100 rubles ~ 100 baht), prices of rest tickets will vary depend on location, time (day or evening) and type/name of the performance. Quote
