Opera House / Tsaritsyno Museum-reserve» Editorial Image

The Opera house Middle Palace is one of the most interesting and intricately decorated structures in Tsaritsyn. It was built according to the project of the court architect Vasily Bazhenov. Along with the Great and Small palaces, the Middle Palace is intended directly for Catherine II. It is designed for small official receptions and ceremonies. Home performances and court entertainments. This is evidenced by the preserved plans of the Palace – the main part of it is occupied by a huge hall with a vaulted ceiling and excellent acoustics. It is adjoined by two smaller entrance halls and a whole Suite of service rooms.Construction of the building began in 1776. In the design used for the traditional buildings of the Tsaritsyno brick and white stone. A characteristic feature of Bazhenov architecture draws attention: the two-story building has a simple and massive first floor and a whimsically decorated and elegant second. Because of this, the building seems to `tend up`. The Palace is crowned by an elegant parapet in the form of an openwork arcade with the image of disks and sickles-they symbolize the sun and the month.By 1785, the Middle Palace was completely finished from the outside. Workers plaster the walls and tile the floors. Tile stoves are installed in the halls. However, Catherine II does not approve of the Tsaritsyn residence and removes Bazhenov from office. After his dismissal, work in the Middle Palace stops.