SIEMENS

Here a brief clearing of the throat, there a stifled cough, and then… all is quiet. The velvet curtain decorated in gold and crimson is pulled back. Ballerinas glide into the illumination of a single spotlight. “Swan Lake,” a ballet by the Russian composer Tchaikovsky, is on the program this evening. The performance is taking place in one of the world’s most famous venues, the Bolshoi Theater, which was opened in Moscow in 1780. Evening after evening, stars of the opera, ballet, and theater perform on a stage often visible to the entire world.

The word “bolshoi” means large or grand, and the theater is in fact one of the largest institutions of its kind anywhere. It has 3,100 employees – including members of the orchestra, dancers, singers, actors, and all of the specialists who work behind the scenes. The building houses one main stage, an upper stage, a back stage area, and three ballet studios. In 1856 – under Czar Alexander II – the Bolshoi was completely rebuilt after a fire gutted the building. “However, the theater had not been restored in the last 150 years,” says Katherina Novikova of the Bolshoi Theater. “Up to 70 percent of the brick outer walls had become dilapidated, and some sections were even in danger of collapsing.” That’s why, in 2005, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation gave the go-ahead to start reconstruction of the theater.

The restoration did not diminish the facility’s 19th-century atmosphere. “It was extremely important for us to be able to preserve the unique character of the building,” explains Novikova.

But at least equally important was the work done to enhance the stability of the structure. Originally, the theater was supported by oak pilings; but they had begun to rot in the marshy ground. The architects therefore created a vast underground space that is as large as the entire above-ground part of the building. As a result of these modifications, the building is now anchored to solid rock some 20 meters below the surface. “The theater was also equipped with new elevators and toilets that are accessible for the handicapped, and space was added between the rows of seats on the orchestra level,” says Novikova.

The restoration work took six years, from 2005 to 2011. During that time, the technical facilities for the auditorium and the stage also had to be brought up to date. The technical renovation of the theater was entrusted to Siemens. “We have a lot of experience in this area and have equipped theaters all over the world with innovative technology,” says Dmitri Podgorbunsky, who is responsible for low-voltage and medium-voltage projects at Siemens’ Infrastructure and Cities Sector in Russia. “For example, Siemens solutions for uninterrupted power distribution have been installed at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy’s Teatro degli Arcimboldi, and the Semperoper in Dresden; and now they are also at the Bolshoi Theater.”

These installations are based on the Siemens concept of Totally Integrated Power (TIP). The products and systems in a TIP installation are all designed to work together so that electricity is reliably delivered from the grid to the end user. Among other things, Siemens installed transformers and low-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear at the Bolshoi Theater, as well as automation components. These units are used for raising and lowering the stage and for controlling the lighting. Siemens also installed centrally controlled ventilation systems for air-conditioning and district heating. “By installing all of these systems, Siemens has significantly helped us to use energy more efficiently and reduce our operating costs. At the same time, we have succeeded in retaining the flair of this historic building even though it’s been outfitted with state-of-the-art technology,” says Novikova. “In terms of numbers, our customer will be able to save 30 percent on both energy costs and operating expenses – without having to make any compromises in terms of comfort and system reliability,” adds Podgorbunsky.

In the meantime, the velvet seats in the auditorium are no longer occupied, because the audience is giving the performers an enthusiastic standing ovation. The little “swans” in pointed shoes bow and leave the stage. The audience is elated. For today, the curtain of the “grand theater” in Moscow is closed – but thanks to the extensive restorations, it will certainly rise countless times in the years to come.