The Bolshoi Theatre (is a historic theatre in Moscow, Russia, designed by architect Joseph Bové, which holds performances of ballet and opera. The theatre’s original name was the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, while the St. Petersburg Bolshoi Theatre, was called the Imperial Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre. At that time, all Russian theatres were imperial property. Moscow and St Petersburg each had only two theatres, one intended for opera and ballet, and one for plays .