The Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the finest symphony orchestras in the world. Its distinguished conducting traditions were established by luminaries such as Nikolai Golovanov, Samuil Samosud, Ariy Pazovsky, Alexander Melik-Pashayev, Yuri Fayer, Vasily Nebolsin, Boris Khaikin, Yevgeny Svetlanov, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Mstislav Rostropovich, Mark Ermler, and Alexander Lazarev.

Currently, Valery Gergiev serves as the general director and chief conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre.

The Bolshoi Theatre Wind Orchestra was founded during World War I after the Moscow Garrison Wind Band, which had also served as the Bolshoi’s Stage Wind Orchestra, was called to the front. Originally consisting of 16 musicians, the ensemble eventually expanded to over 40 players, including brass, woodwind, and percussion. With this expanded instrumentation, the orchestra can perform most major works for wind band.

The tradition of incorporating wind players into stage productions dates back to performances of Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila and Ivan Susanin (A Life for the Tsar), where members of the wind orchestra appeared in full costume as part of the action. This practice continued with productions such as Verdi’s Aida, Shostakovich’s Katerina Ismailova, Shchedrin’s Anna Karenina, and operas and ballets by Verestovsky, Serov, Tchaikovsky, and Mussorgsky.

Under the direction of Vladimir Andropov, the Bolshoi Theatre Wind Orchestra made its concert debut in 1979, earning widespread critical and public acclaim. Today, the ensemble remains an integral part of Moscow’s cultural landscape, regularly performing on prominent concert stages and touring internationally.

Source: Bolshoi Theatre