Russia - Bolshoi Theatre Moscow

Hi all,

I'm looking to get tickets to a performance of Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre. The only seats that seem available are in the Dress Circle, though given the proximity to the performance date, they certainly don't come cheap!

The seating map of the Bolshoi Theatre's New Stage is as per the link below:
http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/buy/sotlay/

Does anyone know if there is an explanation as to the differences between the yellow, tan and gold seats in the Dress Circle? Is this based on view perhaps?

Also, would previous visitors to the theatre have any recommendations about seats on the left/right extremes of the Dress Circle having any blocked views - or is there nothing to be concerned about?

Any thoughts and suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance.

Hi all,

I'm looking to get tickets to a performance of Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre. The only seats that seem available are in the Dress Circle, though given the proximity to the performance date, they certainly don't come cheap!

The seating map of the Bolshoi Theatre's New Stage is as per the link below:
http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/buy/sotlay/

Does anyone know if there is an explanation as to the differences between the yellow, tan and gold seats in the Dress Circle? Is this based on view perhaps?

Also, would previous visitors to the theatre have any recommendations about seats on the left/right extremes of the Dress Circle having any blocked views - or is there nothing to be concerned about?

Any thoughts and suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance.

The different colors represent different prices - it is a better view if you are closer to the middle and in the front row. The extreme side seats are okay for opera, but are not necessarily the best view for watching a ballet. They are okay, but not the best. If you can do the seats closer to the middle, that would be my recommendation.

Sat in the middle section, so don't know.

You may already know this, but just be aware that the classic Bolshoi building is closed (current scheduled reopening looks like October 2). The current theatre is off to the left behind the main building in the picture on the "Reconstruction and Renovation" page.

Sorry if you knew this, but I thought I'd mention it, just in case.

Ballets are usually about twice as expensive as operas. You'll also find matinees on the weekend that are generally cheaper.

The "Stan and Dan" - the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater - offers great performances at lower prices:

http://www.stanmus.com/

Many thanks for all the recommendations. We did manage to get decent centre seats and are looking forward to the performance. One other (unrelated, apologies!) question for the Russia experts - is the New Yellow Taxi (nyt.ru/en) company reliable for airport/train station pick-ups?

Many thanks for all the recommendations. We did manage to get decent centre seats and are looking forward to the performance. One other (unrelated, apologies!) question for the Russia experts - is the New Yellow Taxi (nyt.ru/en) company reliable for airport/train station pick-ups?

It is, but if I were you I would go for a cab service which has operators speaking English unless you have a good command of Russian. Try Komandir (http://eng.komandir.ru/) or Europa Taxi (http://7398888.ru/en/).

Sat in the middle section, so don't know.

You may already know this, but just be aware that the classic Bolshoi building is closed (current scheduled reopening looks like October 2). The current theatre is off to the left behind the main building in the picture on the "Reconstruction and Renovation" page.

Sorry if you knew this, but I thought I'd mention it, just in case.

Is the classic Bolshoi now open? I will be in Moscow January 4 - 8 (2013) and want to go but am having trouble with registration at the moment.

One version of "buy tickets" on their web makes me think that nothing is available for my days which is possible in the middle of a major holiday. So does that mean my only solution is to show up and try to buy tickets from someone selling theirs at the event? Such advice was given here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/russia/932152-buying-bolshoi-ballet-tickets.html

Is the classic Bolshoi now open?

Yes, it opened last year after a six year renovation.



I will be in Moscow January 4 - 8 (2013) and want to go but am having trouble with registration at the moment.

One version of "buy tickets" on their web makes me think that nothing is available for my days which is possible in the middle of a major holiday. So does that mean my only solution is to show up and try to buy tickets from someone selling theirs at the event? Such advice was given here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/russia/932152-buying-bolshoi-ballet-tickets.html

The WHOLE of Russia is on holiday during those dates. I'm not surprised that they've sold out.

You can try what was suggested in that thread or, if you're staying at a top end hotel, then see if the concierge can get you tickets - although, of course, be prepared to pay in the latter case.