Classical Preview: Bolshoi Symphony have a grand appointment

Amid accusations of incompetence and corruption, the renovations to Moscow’s legendary Bolshoi are complete, every detail, right down to the Tsarist emblems being reinstated as the interior is returned to its past glory as one of the world’s finest theatres.
By David Denton
Published 6th May 2011, 12:14 BST

Now rebuilt to its original shape and size, the changes made in the Soviet era, that ruined the acoustics, have been removed.

Its reopening has welcomed home Russia’s oldest orchestra, the Bolshoi Symphony, an ensemble that can trace its roots back to 1776, long before the present theatre was built.

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It is also Russia’s largest orchestra, having at its disposal about 250 musicians and has served in the theatre for opera and ballet productions. Their visit to the UK will see them perform another auspicious ceremony when tomorrow they appear on the opening night of Scarborough’s Grand Hall.

They bring with them soloists from the opera company who will perform highlights from Tchaikovsky’s story of a young girl’s unrequited love in Eugene Onegin. In the second half they perform Act 2 of the composer’s ballet, The Nutcracker. Tonight they present the same programme in Hull’s City Hall, and arrive in the Leeds Town Hall next Saturday with the same Tchaikovsky ballet excerpt and Rachmaninov’s First Piano Concerto with Ivan Rudin as soloist. All concerts are conducted by Alexei Stepanov.

Hull City Hall, May 6, 01482 300300; Scarborough Grand Hall, May 7, 01723 357869; Leeds Town Hall, May 14, 0113 224 3801. All concerts begin at 7.30pm.

Related topics:RussiaMoscowSovietScarborough