Reuters: When Moscow's Bolshoi Theater threw open its doors after a six-year renovation, a gilded handle broke off in a reporter's hand during the first dress rehearsal for the opening opera. It was a palpable sign that after a $700-million restoration Moscow's theatrical jewel is struggling to live up to a centuries-old reputation as a bastion of Russian culture.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Russia's shiny new Bolshoi grappling with gripess
Reuters: When Moscow's Bolshoi Theater threw open its doors after a six-year renovation, a gilded handle broke off in a reporter's hand during the first dress rehearsal for the opening opera. It was a palpable sign that after a $700-million restoration Moscow's theatrical jewel is struggling to live up to a centuries-old reputation as a bastion of Russian culture.
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3 comments:
We've all seen new 'state-of-the-art' theatres that had large budgets and were built by consultants who clearly do not understand the requirements of the live entertainment business, and it's sad to see this happen not only on such a large scale, but in a place clearly tied to a nation's pride. Renovations to historically sensitive things should respect the history and feel rather than take away from it, as it seems these folks have done.
As for ticket scalping, I don't see what the problem with that is... there's a limited supply, and the price will naturally climb to reflect demand.
This was a huge renovation but it seems that the company overseeing the renovations did not care about preservation. With historic buildings there is a duty to preserve the architectural details as well as the craftsmanship. Making major changes to the rehearsal halls and the dressing rooms seems to be an oversight through ignorance, as Daniel said, of the requirements of the entertainment industry. They should have restored it with similar materials not new and unproven materials.
Both of the previous comments have very valid points and I feel that a lot of the issues created were from a combination of both points. From not keeping the traditional feel of the building to contractors and architects who don't know how to build a theater, its my belief that history has a lot to do with it. Russia, once a worldleader in industry and art, feel behind in thier defeat in WWII, and have been struggling to catch up ever since. I think a lot of the issues that arouse stemmed from a cheap rush to complete this building in a way to show off to the world.
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