We got to Sverdlov Square and I got out and for a long time was standing in front of the Bolshoi. It was a great moment in my life as I looked at the famous pillars for the first time. I was afraid that I couldn't uphold the prestige of the Bolshoi ballet.
Bolshoi in Russian means great, and the Bolshoi Theatre was named for its size. It could not have a better name. It is a theatre which is great in every sense. It is unique in the world of ballet and opera. No wonder I was excited and eager to get inside and start working. The moment I was inside I had the feeling that I was wanted and was being waited for. At the top of the stairs I was met by a group of dancers, among them Ulanova, Semenova, Plissetskaya, Chabukiany, Kondratov and others. M. Chulaki, the director of the Bolshoi was waiting for us in his room. I was terribly eager to see the Bolshoi immediately, so we started examining the theatre. I was impressed by marble stairs, red carpets, and red and gold furniture. We went into the director's box, and for the first time I saw this huge, wonderful theatre which seats more than 2,000 people. Its circle is like the circle in the Scala at Milan and it has the atmosphere of intimacy of the Metropolitan in New York. And the stage is three times larger than the stage at Covent Garden. Next morning when I came up to the theatre a lot of people hurrying in the direction of the theatre could be seen. Apparently it is a Moscow custom to give a midday performance in the theatres on Sundays, and that day "The Snow Maiden" performed by the Bolshoi Opera Company was on.
I was shown to my dressing-room. As I entered the rehearsal-room all the dancers stopped their work and greeted me with applause. It gave me the encouragement I needed at that moment. I would like to emphasize my very happy relations with the dancers and theatre administrators throughout my stay. From the moment I got inside the Bolshoi until the moment I left Russia I felt the warmth and care of my fellow-dancers. I was one of them, and everything possible was being done to help me. There was a feeling of complete devotion which could be met nowhere else in the world. Part of this feeling came from tradition, and another part from the fact that in their country actors are regarded as people making a special contribution to society.
Pronunciation Drill
[ei]: 'f a mous, n a med, a'fr ai d, 'w ai ting, 'm ai den, st ay, d ay
[i:]: com'pl e te, f ee l, 'f ee ling, gr ee t, n ee d, re'c ei ve, 'p eo ple, m ea ns, ' ea ger, s ea ts [ə:]: f i rst, w o rk, 'w o rking, w o rld, 'furnit u re, re'h ea rsal
[ou]: 'm o ment, n o, 'n o where, sh o wn, sn o w, 'fell o w, up'h o ld, g o ld
[f]: 'atmos ph ere, 'em ph asize
Exercise 1.
Read the text again and correct the following statements.Begin your sentences with: Im afraid you are not quite right..."; I'm afraid you are wrong because...
1. Miss Beryl Grey got to Sverdlov Square and was standing in front of the Maly Theatre.
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2. At the top of the stairs she was met by a group of singers.
3. The director of the Bolshoi was waiting for her in the rehearsal-room.
4. Next morning when she came up to the theatre there were no people there.
5. When she entered the rehearsal-room the dancers did not stop work.
6. Beryl Grey was greeted with flowers when the dancers saw her.
7. She did not need any encouragement at that moment.
8. Her relations with the Soviet dancers were not very good.
Exercise 2.
Give full answers to the questions:
1. Where did Miss Beryl Grey come from?
2. Was it her first visit to Moscow? Why was she standing for a long time in front of the Bolshoi?
3. Why was she afraid?
4. What gave her the feeling that she was wanted and expected?
5. What was she impressed by when she got inside the theatre?
6. What Moscow custom did she note?
7. Why did the dancers stop their work when Miss Grey entered the rehearsal-room?
8. Why did she need encouragement at that moment?
9. What did she say about her relations with the actors?
10. How does she explain the feeling of complete devotion of the actors?
Exercise 3.
Translate into English:
1. . , .
2. , , .
3. .
4. ().
5. , .
6. .
7. ,
8. () .
9. .
10. .
Exercise 4.
Describe the Bolshoi Theatre using the following words and expressions:
seats more than (6,000, 2,000 people); bunt of glass (marble, stone, wood); always packed; atmosphere of (intimacy, festivity); performance; to perform; tickets must be booked in advance; the orchestra stalls (stalls, circles, boxes, pit, gallery); huge; stairs; carpets; furniture; stage; curtain; company; it is a custom to...
Exercise 5.
Speak on the following topics, using the words and expressions of the text:
a) Your first visit to the theatre:
1. When did you visit the theatre for the first time?
2. What theatre was it? 3. What was on that day?
4. Where were your seats?
5. When did the performance begin?
6. Who were you with?
7. How did you get the tickets for this performance?
8. Why did you go to see that particular play?
9. What impressed you more: the play, the acting of the actors, the atmosphere of the theatre?
b) The first stage appearance:
1. Did you take part in an amateur dramatic or musical circle?
2. What parts did you play?
3. What instrument did you play?
4. What kind of music did you like to play?
5. When did you make your first stage appearance?
6. Were you a success?
