Entertainment

Moscow is one of the world's major capital cities, with entertainment and nightlife to match the title. The traditional offerings of classical music and drama have been joined in recent years by a vibrant and often extravagant array of nightclubs. The following is a mere introduction to Moscow entertainment.

Classical Music: Opera, Ballet, Orchestral

Russia's great heritage of classical music is reflected in the quality of its orchestras and orchestral venues. The Bol'shoi Theatre is a world-renowned institution and the jewel of Moscow's cultural nightlife. The performances, as well as the auditorium, are immaculate. In terms of grandeur, the Bol'shoi surpasses anything else in Russia. It is a popular venue, especially among visiting tourists, and tickets may be difficult to find at short notice.

Other major venues include the Kremlin Palace of Congresses (State Kremlin Palace), a modern building within the walls of the Kremlin that hosts performances of the great Russian ballets. Both the Stanislavskii and Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theater and the Helikon Theater in Arabt run a variety of Russian and foreign classics, with the latter taking a more innovative approach.

For the city's best orchestral music, visit the Tchaikovskii Concert Hall and the Tchaikovskii Conservatory.

Theater

Modern Moscow may be a commercial epicenter, but theater and the arts still find a special role in the city life. The breadth and range of drama theaters rival those of most major capitals.

The Moscow Art Theater has always been among the city's most prominent theaters, of which there are now two branches. The original, Chekhov Moscow Art Theater (MKhAT - Moskovskii Khudozhestvennyi Teatr imeni A. Chekhova), is reputed to be the best.

The Theater on Taganka was a politically controversial theater during Soviet times. It is famous for its veiled satires.

For classic Russian drama, head to the Maly Theatre, founded in 1824. It continues to produce material predominantly from the 19th Century. The same is true for the Sovremennik Theater. Contemporary works are favored by a few theaters, most notably the Maiakovskii Theater and the Lenkom Theater. The Lenkom is the birthplace of the Russian rock-opera.

The Iugo-Zapad Theater performs a mixture of works, from foreign classics to Soviet staples.

You'll find alternative theater productions offered up at the Obraztsov Puppet Theater (Teatr Kukol imeni Obraztsova) and the Moscow Clown Theater (Moskovskii Teatr Klounady).

Cinema

The smell of popcorn and Hollywood blockbusters can be found at the Amerikanskii Dom Kino (American House of Cinema), Moscow's most glitzy film house. The Pod Kupolom (Under the Dome) and the Kodak Kinomir (Cinema World) both feature American films.

For Russian movies, visit the Illuzion or the Kinosentr (Cinema Center).

Clubs

Moscow is home to some of the world's most fiercely fashionable clubs. The Garage and Titanik are popular nightclubs, especially with the young and rich. Golodnaia Utka (Hungry Duck's) is a wild and intense spot for dancing, while laid-back Bohemian types might prefer to stop in at Proekt OGI.

16 tonnes and Svalka are good places to hear live music, as well as Le Club and Arbat Blues Club, which both specialize in live jazz and blues.