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 into how 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 auditorium, as well as the performances, 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.
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 most major capitals.
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 favoured 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.
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 Centre).
Clubs
Moscow is home to some of the world's most fiercely fashionable clubs. The Garage and Titanik (Titanic) are popular nightclubs, especially with the young and rich.
16 tonnes and Svalka are all good places to hear live music.