This opera and ballet theater is a more modest but well-respected younger sister of the Bolshoi, with an impressive interior and talented company. The repertoire is unadventurous, though a current renovation of the building may result in upgraded shows, too. Reliable choices include Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, and of course anything Tchaikovsky. It's a good option if the Bolshoi is sold out or beyond your budget.
As with its ballet company, the Stanislavsky's opera company is strong and respected, though it is often over-shadowed by colleagues at the Bolshoi. The theater itself is similarly shaped and decorated, and a current renovation is expected to renew the shine on the banisters and refresh the repertoire. Operas are staged about once a week, and tickets are cheaper and easier to obtain here than those for the Bolshoi or the other opera houses.
