Many eminent singers, musicians, and conductors were starting their artistic careers in the Grand Hall of Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. The theatre was built at the behest of Catherine II in 1783, who wanted that it be the most beautiful of all European theaters. Performances of plays by Pushkin, Odoevskii and Griboedov took place along with masquerades and balls. Enthralled audiences filled the three tiers of seats to watch Italian opera, and Alexander I often visited performances with his family. On the 27th of November 1836, after rebuilding work had been completed by architect A Kavas, the premier of Glinka's opera Ivan Susanin was performed, and this date has become the birthday of Russian Classic Opera Art. The arena itself is big, providing seating for an audience of over 1700.
