TR to Moscow

[Sculpto]

Cool so I can bring my Frangelica for sipping with chocolate.

I have two questions about the Bolshoy.. one.. how formal is it?  I mean I can go to the SF ballet in jeans and a nice shirt and good shoes.. would that be a huge mistake in Moscow?  and two.. does anyone know if it is possible to get discounted tickets on the day of a show?

[OlgaH]

I have two questions about the Bolshoy.. one.. how formal is it?  I mean I can go to the SF ballet in jeans and a nice shirt and good shoes.. would that be a huge mistake in Moscow?  and two.. does anyone know if it is possible to get discounted tickets on the day of a show?

The State Academic Bolshoi Theater  http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/

1) Take a virtual tour on the theater's website  I think in a nice suit you will look better and feel more comfortable 

2) I don't think they have any discounted tickets more over on the day of a show. Better to buy tickets in advance 

[GoodOlBoy]

I went to the Bolshoi Theatre 4 years ago and I was going to wear my jeans. When my wife gave me one of "those" looks, I changed over to a suit and tie. I noticed that everybody was well dressed, but that was 4 years ago. I purchased my tickets online, before I left the States. Just Google Bolshoi and you will find their web site. They also have a 1-800 number. We stayed at the Hotel Rossia. I really enjoyed that hotel. Very nice view of Red Square from our room window. Sorry to hear it was demolished. Good luck and enjoy yourself.

[OlgaH]

Bolshoi theater tickets

http://www.moscowbolshoi.com/index.html?play_theatre=5&month=default&sr=gaw&kw=bolshoi%20theater%20moscow&lang=eng#play



Booking, purchase and delivery of tickets by telephone:
+7 (495) 250-73-17 (many lines, from 11.00 to 19.00)

Fax: +7 (495) 692-00-50 (round-the-clock)

E-mail: sales@bolshoi.ru

http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/buy/bbph/

[Sculpto]

Cool thanks.. looks like I will be seeing La Boheme.. LOL.. I was hoping they had something like they do here in SF or in New York where you can get last minute tickets at a nice discount.. I will have to see if my girl can do anything with her student ID if it is still valid... I would ok with La Boheme but the image in my mind of going ot the Bolshoi is Ballet.  I don't know.. maybe I will just make that the splurge night..

BTW, I had some clients today from Kiev and Odessa.  A very nice couple that came to the US in 1991.  They found it very shocking I had nice things to say about Ukraine.  I run into this all the time.  Was it really so bad back then?

[UTRO]

Lesson #1  Russian Women love it when their man dresses nicely for them Ditch the white sneakers, tight jeans at the ankle and dark coloured baggy fitting t-shirt (especially the one with the Wolf emblazed on it)
Splash some Acqua Di Gio Armani on yourself while you're at it
Am I on the right track Olga??  

[UTRO]

Sculpto, I noticed that you're flying with connections from SF.... were you aware that Aeroflot flies Direct to Moscow from LA? FYI
Less than $1200 all taxes.

[OlgaH]

I will have to see if my girl can do anything with her student ID if it is still valid...

Her student ID probably will work for her (they have some discounts for students), but if you don't have your own Russian student ID it will not work for you, because one student ID = 1 cheap ticket, and  they check IDs at the entrance. 

[OlgaH]

Lesson #1  Russian Women love it when their man dresses nicely for them
Am I on the right track Olga?? 

Absolutely

[SANDRO43]

.. looks like I will be seeing La Boheme.. LOL..

Puccini's or Leoncavallo's ? Anyway, how appropriate, considering your line of work. Your real name's Rodolfo, too, perchance  ?

[Sculpto]

Ladies I love the advice thanks!!!

Don't worry I am not a tight jean t-shirt wearing dirty sneaker kind of guy.  LOL.  Even back in my total hippie days I had a nice "costume" with only handmade threads from around the world and lots of handmade hemp clothing from northern California freaks.  

I will be wearing a lot of Kenneth Cole in black, greys very dark blue and so on and a little bit of some local designer stuff from some friends here in SF.  I don't even own a pair of "Blue" jeans.. I have jeans but not in blue.. LOL!  However, I HATE wearing a tie and to do so would be to present a flase impression.  However, for an occasion like the Ballet I could manage.  For cologne, don't laugh because this is the absolute truth, I make my own and it is excellent.  You will just have to trust me on this one but people constantly ask me what I am wearing, men and women, hey its gay town I can't help it LOL, and no one believes me that I made it myself.  Its not really that hard if you know where to get the oils and how to mix them up.  But, I once spent $120 on a bottle of Givenchy "PI" that I loved and when it finally ran out it happened to be a time when I was unemployed so I invested in a collection of oils and mixing bottles and I have not spent a penny on cologne since and have a few different scents I can wear depending on the occasion.. work or going our or whatever..

I did not know there is a direct flight out of LA, but, I would still have to get to LA from SF so at the end of the day it would be about the same as going SF-> New York -> Moscow.  I have a short layover in NYC so it works out pretty well.. I just hope the departure from SF is on time so I don't have to panic in JFK.  

One of my art school buddies turns out to have some connections with some artists in Moscow so I have aquired a couple of phone numbers of practicing professional fine artists so I am hoping those contacts might open up some interesting opportunities and experiences that I might have a hard time finding on my own in a 9 day trip.  

When I talked to my girl this morning something interesting happened.  First of all she indicated that she is really suprised about everything I have been able to do to arrange for this trip.. the apartment.. the artist contacts in Moscow.. the research about the sites in Moscow to the point where I appear to know more about Moscow than she does (HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!)  especially in regards to architecture which is one of my favorite hobbies.  I have a whole list of buildings besides the churches I want to see.  She laughed HYSTERICALLY when I told her I want to photograph Lubyanka.  So, just before I told her goodnight her and her mother started teasing me again.  It is one of those moments I really kick myself for not being more pro-active about learning more Russian language this past year.  The two of them were laughing like little girls and I kept asking what is so funny... she will only tell me "Mom says you good man".

There is one thing I am not looking forward to.. I leave for Moscow next Saturday at 6 in the morning, but, because she is taking the train she will leave Siberia next Wednesday and be out of touch during that time.  If anything goes wrong in the travel for her or for me communications will be very difficult.

That reminds me.  I read on some site yesterday that clearing customs in Sheremetevo will take 2 hours.  Is that really true?

[Sculpto]

OK I have been reading the two sites Olga linked to the Bolshoi and now I am really confused... the one site had high priced tickets from $60-300+ but the other site shows something really different...

anyway.. in reviewing the seating plan and the price matrix it seems possible to see a show, maybe from high up, or even second tier for something more reasonable to my bidget.. but the assumed I am interppretting the seating plan and price matrix correctly..

http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/buy/sotlay/

if that does not go to the right page.. you should see the seating plan and a price matrix.. use the link in the drop down menu that goes to seating plan... can anyone help me interpret this?

Sandro.. it looks like the Puccini La Boheme.. and you know I will follow that with an after party some dark small smoky jazz lounge with a lot of vodka and cuban cigars.. and I will recite Allen Ginsburg's "Scream" in English if they put a microphone in front of me.. ahh my poor girl is going to be shocked I think.. and if I get really drunk I can sing this one to my girl...



Youve got your ball
Youve got your chain
Tied to me tight tie me up again
Whos got their claws
In you my friend
Into your heart Ill beat again
Sweet like candy to my soul
Sweet you rock
And sweet you roll
Lost for you Im so lost for you
You come crash into me
And I come into you
I come into you
In a boys dream
In a boys dream
Touch your lips just so I know
In your eyes, love, it glows so
Im bare boned and crazy for you
When you come crash
Into me, baby
And I come into you
In a boys dream
In a boys dream
If Ive gone overboard
Then Im begging you
To forgive me
In my haste
When Im holding you so girl
Close to me
Oh and you come crash
Into me, baby
And I come into you
Hike up your skirt a little more
And show the world to me
Hike up your skirt a little more
And show your world to me
In a boys dream.. in a boys dream
Oh I watch you there
Through the window
And I stare at you
You wear nothing but you
Wear it so well
Tied up and twisted
The way Id like to be
For you, for me, come crash
Into me

OK, I have to go home now.. LOL.. can you tell I got a lot of work done today? 

[GoodOlBoy]

I have landed at SVO and gotten through customs in 15 minutes. I have also landed at SVO and had to wait 1+ hours. There are several variables at work. First, how many other flights land around the same time yours does. Second, how many customs officials are on duty.

[OlgaH]

Even back in my total hippie days I had a nice "costume" with only handmade threads from around the world and lots of handmade hemp clothing from northern California freaks. 

Oh, can we see a picture please

I invested in a collection of oils and mixing bottles and I have not spent a penny on cologne since and have a few different scents I can wear depending on the occasion.. work or going our or whatever..

I just love oils and I also make my own experiments 

First of all she indicated that she is really suprised about everything I have been able to do to arrange for this trip..

That is very very good. Good luck to you and your lady. Wish you both a nice trip with no obstacle courses and have a great time together.

That reminds me.  I read on some site yesterday that clearing customs in Sheremetevo will take 2 hours.  Is that really true?

Not always...  but it happens

[UTRO]

Ladies I love the advice thanks!!!

Hey I'm no Lady, or female for that matter!

That reminds me.  I read on some site yesterday that clearing customs in Sheremetevo will take 2 hours.  Is that really true?

Well, speaking only for myself I've never been more than 40 minutes. That includes clearing the Customs Official at the booth who will stamp your Visa and Immigration Card, waiting for my luggage, and then 'officially' walking out of Customs Control into Terminal 2. I've been through roughly 10 times with work and pleasure. Come to think of it, that 40 minutes was coming back from Greece with a plane full of Ruskies. Usually it's only taken 20 minutes. Just walk through the Green Zone after claiming your baggage. Don't line up for the Red Zone. The Red Zone is only if you have something to declare. Remember, you have nothing to declare! Departing for home at SVO 2 takes way longer to go through Customs, not Arriving. Something I've noticed lately and confirmed by another member here, is that upon leaving Russia, Customs at SVO 2 is going through all baggage of every USA destined flier. This includes non-carry on luggage. I don't know why? I got caught up in the line for NY in July and the agent told me the search was only for travellers to the USA. I stood outside Customs Control for roughly 4 hours for my flight and every USA bound passenger had their bags 'violated'
According to the other member here, he had the same treatment twice. Once in July and again in September. He's back in Moscow with his girl now, so it'll be interesting to see how it goes this time. He said it was no big deal. Just an inconvenience
Dave.

[UTRO]

Oh, can we see a picture please

Ya, that would be Cool! 

[OlgaH]

Hey I'm no Lady, or female for that matter!

Hey! Do you have something against to be a lady or female?

Just kidding

[OlgaH]

Puccini's or Leoncavallo's ?

As you know, Sandro, Leoncavallo's La Boheme did not stand the competition...

______________________________________
From the Leoncavallo's  biography: (btw about "what to wear"  )

There was a strange spectator at the premiere of 'Pagliacci'. He was dressed like a rider in dirty dusty clothes and high boots with spurs. During intermission Leoncavallo came to the stranger and said with bow "Thank you, sir, thank you so much!" "For what?" - the strange spectator was surprised.
"Thank you, sir, that you did not bring your horse with you to see my opera"

[SANDRO43]

As you know, Sandro, Leoncavallo's La Boheme did not stand the competition...

I know, Puccini is in another league, but since his and Verdi's operas are the most performed, sometimes theatre managers want to put something different on the billboard for a change.

[Sculpto]

There is only one known photo of me in hippie garb and that photo was taken after two weeks in the Nevada desert at Burning Man.  (means no running water for two weeks) I am not sure if I even have a copy of it but I will try to find it.

I have to admit my opera knowledge is unfortunately a bit limited.  The only opera I have seen in a formal theater was a production of Sweeney Todd which is not exactly the real deal.  I have however participated in the performance of three operas, all staged at the aforementioned festival in the Black Rock desert outdoors at night under the stars of Nevada.  I was one of the mostly naked people in body paint spinning fire. 

[OlgaH]

I like opera, but, honestly, sometimes I can not take it visually, when I see overweight and overage singers under layers of theatrical make-up instead of  images that they perform... I prefer just to listen 

[dogspot]

Sculpto, I noticed that you're flying with connections from SF.... were you aware that Aeroflot flies Direct to Moscow from LA? FYI
Less than $1200 all taxes.

I bought a round trip from LA to Moscow on Aeroflot a few weeks ago for $419. After taxes it was around $650.

[UTRO]

I bought a round trip from LA to Moscow on Aeroflot a few weeks ago for $419. After taxes it was around $650.

Wow, that's really good You'd usually pay that much just from NY!

[SANDRO43]

I like opera, but, honestly, sometimes I can not take it visually, when I see overweight and overage singers under layers of theatrical make-up instead of  images that they perform... I prefer just to listen 

Contemporary singers are much more looks-aware than of old  .

The problem with opera is that it is a compromise between theatrical action and music. The best operatic pieces are arias, where singers blast off on some emotion while dramatic action stands still. Since an opera is a story, action is made to proceed through often boring recitativi which, as the name implies, tell about developments between one aria and the next.

IMO, one of the most enjoyable operas of all is Bizet's Carmen  .

[docetae]

Contemporary singers are much more looks-aware than of old  .

The problem with opera is that it is a compromise between theatrical action and music. The best operatic pieces are arias, where singers blast off on some emotion while dramatic action stands still. Since an opera is a story, action is made to proceed through often boring recitativi which, as the name implies, tell about developments between one aria and the next.

IMO, one of the most enjoyable operas of all is Bizet's Carmen  .

in a more contemporary repertoire, I recommend you to see Bluebeard (from Bartok) staged by Robert Lepage. It was one of the more powerful opera I have seen (but very far from Verdi or Bizet...)

This staging is played regularly around the world.

Me and my wife love a lot Opera (in fact our photo used on this site was done just before we were going to see one..). I really like how it is democratized in Kiev with daily shows.