The Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre in Moscow, celebrates its 200th anniversary this week.

The Bolshoi Theatre Company was founded in March 1776, but it did not move to its present home in Moscow until 1824.

After Napoleon's expulsion from Moscow in 1812 a great programme of building was begun, with Osip Bove as chief architect. The Bolshoi theatre was constructed as part of this programme in the Teatralny Square. The building was later rebuilt after Moscow's fire in 1856.

Throughout its existence, many outstanding musicians, singers and dancers have contributed to the Theatre's fame around the world -- singers like Fedor Ivanovitch Shalyapin and dancers like Maya Plisetskaya.

During the past 50 years the theatre has performed nearly 60 European and Soviet opera and ballet productions.

The anniversary is being celebrated in Moscow with a production of the ballet 'Much Ado About Nothing' by Tichon Chrennikov from William Shakespeare's play of the same name.

SYNOPSIS: The Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre in Moscow -- home of one of the Soviet union's leading theatre companies. This week the Bolshoi is celebrating its 200th anniversary in the building that has been their home since 1824.

The Anniversary is being celebrated in Moscow with a performance of a new ballet--'Much Ado About Nothing' by Tichon Chrennikov.

Many outstanding singers, musicians and dancers have contributed to the theatre's high reputation around the world. Currently singing with the Opera is the tenor Vladimir Atlantov. One of his most famous predecessors was the singer Fedor Ivanovitch Shalyapin.

The ballet company have thrilled audiences with their technical precision and artistry for decades. They have produced such dancers as Galina Ulanova and Maya Plisetskaya.

During the last fifty years the Bolshoi, incorporating the opera and ballet, has performed nearly sixty productions. These have been from both Soviet and western composers. It has also visited almost every country in the world in that time. the ballet company is living-up to its name
-- 'Bolshoi' means 'Big' -- with its current production. Plans have been laid for other new productions and more tours.