Bolshoy Theatre

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Bolshoy Theatre (Russ., ‘Great Theatre’), Moscow. Oldest th. in Moscow, home of the Bolshoy opera and ballet cos. Orig. named Petrovsky and built by Englishman (Maddox) in 1780. Destroyed by fire in 1805. Bolshoy Petrovsky opened 1825, but in 1853 its interior was burnt out. Restored by Cavos and reopened in 1856. Seats approx. 2,000 people. Stage is half as wide again as that of CG. There was also a Bolshoy Theatre in St Petersburg, 1783–1859.