From the stalls to the balcony: where are the best seats in the theater. What are the rows in the theater called - from the first seats - to the very top balcony

27.04.2019

I foresee fair questions. Why exactly to Bolshoi and what does “convenient” mean? The answers to these questions lie on the surface.
Comfortable seats are those seats from which the viewing angle of the stage will be as complete as possible. At the same time, in order to comfortably watch the performance from such places, the viewer should not need to use additional optical means (binoculars).

And the Bolshoi Theater, because having become familiar with the features of its architecture, a potential viewer in any city and in any theater can easily make right choice when purchasing a ticket.
To begin with, we will need to conduct a small educational program on the basic concepts in theatrical architecture. If the reader has already known all this for a long time, this section can be skipped.
So, parterre (fr) - the word is formed from two words par - by and terre - land. In total we get on the ground. In practice, these are rows of spectator seats facing the stage. Seats in the stalls, starting from the orchestra pit or from the stage, go all the way to the amphitheater.
Amphitheater - rows of seats arranged in a semicircle with constantly rising ledges and located directly behind the stalls.
Benoir boxes are balconies located slightly below or at stage level, on the right and left sides of it. (in the photograph one of these boxes can be seen at the ground level, in the lower left corner)

We rise higher to the mezzanine. Belle - in French, as well as in some others European languages- beautiful, wonderful. (photo taken from the mezzanine)

Tier - one of the middle or upper floors in the auditorium (everything above the mezzanine)
The balcony is an amphitheater of seats on various tiers.
A box is a group of seats in the auditorium (around the stalls and on tiers), separated by partitions or barriers.
Gallery - the top tier auditorium.
So, we have become acquainted with some concepts of theatrical architecture and we can begin to search for the best seats for spectators. Let's start in order, from the ground.

Here, it would seem, everything is clear - the stalls are the best and most expensive places. But you shouldn't make hasty conclusions. On one of the sites I happened to come across a post from a viewer who visited the Mikhailovsky Theater. It reports that having bought tickets for the back rows of the stalls, people had to stand for the entire performance to see anything. In fact, sitting in the stalls, the most full view to the stage. But the further away our seats are, the more difficult it is for us to see the actors, but the backs of the spectators’ heads are very clearly visible from more expensive tickets. In some theaters this problem is solved already at the construction stage.

The stalls are built at a slight angle, which increases as you approach the back rows.
The amphitheater would be fine, but it’s too far away. The only consolation is that they will give you a coat in the wardrobe for binoculars without waiting in line.
The mezzanine and boxes of the benoir are enough comfortable places. But even here it is necessary Be careful. It is clear that when looking at the scene from the box, located in the center relative to the stage, the viewer’s gaze cannot fully capture everything that is happening on stage. As a rule, spectators sitting on balconies right side very visible left-hand side scenes, but the right one is poorly visible and vice versa. At the same time, in some theaters, in addition, the back of the stage is poorly visible. It should also be noted that, as a rule, the seats in all theater boxes are arranged in two or three rows. Accordingly, the viewing angle of the stage in the first row is slightly greater than in the third. In 2011, an unpleasant incident occurred on the new stage at the Bolshoi Theater. Spectators who bought tickets for the outer seats in the dress circle were dissatisfied with the fact that they saw almost nothing from their seats. Having received a refusal to return the money, they sued the theater.
Tier - there are four of them at the Bolshoi Theater! Of course you shouldn't buy tickets to the fourth tier if you have a fear of heights. When you come face to face with the muses, you may feel a little dizzy. Needless to say, as prices rise higher and higher from tier to tier, they fall lower and lower?
Now about the main thing, about buying tickets. Their price ranges from one and a half to forty or more thousand. What does it depend on? Firstly, of course, from the performance. A lot is important here. For example, spectators go to ballet more willingly than to opera. Many go "by name". Premiere performances always cost more. Secondly, of course, it depends on the location of the places. To help the public choose the right ticket, many theater box offices have charts indicating “convenient” and “inconvenient” seats. Thirdly, from where, from whom and how long before the performance you purchase tickets.

The Bolshoi Theater begins pre-sale of tickets for all performances three months before their start. In order to order them, you must send a request to the following address: [email protected], which must be sent no later than the day preceding the day on which pre-sale of tickets for the selected performance opens, but no earlier than fifteen days before the start pre-sale. The pre-sale schedule can be found here http://www.bolshoi.ru/visit/. The application must contain:
- Last name.
- Passport ID.
- The name of the performance.
— The date and time when the performance will be shown.
— Number of seats, no more than TWO.
An accepted application must receive a response by email confirming that the APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED (the application is not ordered reservation) and is processed by the cashier in the presence of the applicant. When purchasing a ticket upon application, you must indicate the date and time of the performance, your last name and present your passport to the cashier. (The passport number and last name indicated in the application will be indicated on the ticket.) Advance ticket sales are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 16:00, the remaining tickets from the pre-sale go on free sale (theater box office, Internet, city box office and agencies). When visiting the theater you will need to present your passport.
In the theatre there is a program “Bolshoi for students”, according to which
Full-time students of universities can purchase tickets worth one hundred rubles for theater performances. The sale of such tickets opens at 17.30 at the second ticket office located in the directorate building. Sale and entrance to the theater - upon presentation of a student card. For performances on the Main (historical) stage, sixty tickets are allocated for students; for performances shown on the New Stage - thirty tickets each.
Beneficiaries, upon presentation of documents confirming their benefits, can also purchase tickets worth one hundred rubles.
One hundred and sixty-one tickets are allocated for performances taking place on the New Stage, and five hundred and eighteen tickets for the Main Stage.

But that's not all! Now, in order to visit the Bolshoi Theater, which opened after reconstruction, it is not necessary to buy a ticket to the performance!!!
At twelve o'clock in the afternoon there are one-hour tours of the theater (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Tickets are sold at the box office located in the historical theater building (entrance twelve) on the day of the tour. The ticket price is five hundred rubles. For schoolchildren, full-time students and beneficiaries, the price is two hundred and fifty rubles. No more than fifteen tickets are sold for the excursion.
An application for a group visit can be made by email.
[email protected]

The article uses information from the official website of the Bolshoi Theater

If you often go to the theater, of course, you already know all the intricacies of the location of seats in the auditorium, as well as which tickets are best to buy. But when planning your first viewing of the performance, it’s worth finding out how the seats are arranged so that you can clearly see the stage. Of course, tickets to the front rows are expensive, we will talk about those that represent a compromise between an affordable price and comfortable viewing. Let us dwell in detail on the definition of “mezzanine in the theatre”. What is it and how to choose a convenient place?

How are the spectator seats located?

Let's consider the theater in a general sense, and not any specific building. The seating arrangement is approximately the same, only the size of the auditorium differs. The closest places to the stage are called the stalls. These are the most convenient places to watch, which affects their cost - tickets for them are the most expensive. You shouldn’t occupy the first row if there is an orchestra pit in front of the stage, then you won’t be able to see the action at all. Sometimes the chairs are installed on a flat floor, but more often the surface is sloped, so that the heads of those sitting in front do not interfere with the people sitting behind.

Beyond them, on a slight elevation, is an amphitheater located at stage level. In these places the viewer receives the widest and full review, as well as good audibility, especially when watching opera or ballet. This optimal choice in terms of price and panoramic view. Sometimes next to the stage on the sides of the stalls there are special boxes called benoir. They are often covered with a special black mesh so that people sitting inside do not interfere with the actors’ work. They are considered the most prestigious places.

Tiers and mezzanine in the theater

What is it and how are the seats above the stage located? The seating described above is complemented by tiers along the wall above stage level. Sometimes there is only one tier, but in theaters with large halls their number reaches four. The lowest one is called the mezzanine. It's quite comfortable to sit there, but it's better not to take seats close to the stage: you'll have to turn and bend over to follow the developments. It is optimal to sit in the center, right above the amphitheater, in the first row. Tiers located high up will not allow you to see the actors without binoculars, but tickets there are the cheapest. Sometimes these places are called balconies.

Decoration of mezzanines

You may have already chosen the mezzanine area of the theatre. What is it and is the stage clearly visible, you know. Let us give examples of what these tiers look like in some of Melpomene’s houses. The entire hall and stage are decorated in the same style, many carved details are finished in gold and complemented with thick, beautiful fabrics. Sometimes it's nice to go to the theater to see historical beauty. Let's take for example Mariinskii Opera House, the mezzanine of which is located above the benoir. It is illuminated by numerous chandeliers, giving it the appearance of a palace hall, white with gold trim and red seats. How else is the mezzanine decorated? The variety theater uses fabrics for finishing. It seems that the whole hall is glowing with bright, rich colors: carpets, curtains, and chairs - everything comes together in big picture, complemented by white columns and sides supporting the lower tier.

Advantages of purchasing mezzanine tickets

Having bought a ticket to one of these places, the viewer will not be disappointed. The advantages of this arrangement have already been noted: good review scenes, excellent audibility of the actors' voices and orchestral music, let's add more seating comfort. Mezzanines rarely have more than 10 rows of seats, often there are only 6-12 chairs in 2 lines, located in a small niche. But sometimes you can make a mistake with your choice, and then you have to spend the entire time of the performance on your feet in order to at least see something.

Now you will not be tormented by the question: “The mezzanine in the theater - what is it?” When buying tickets for any productions, check the visibility of all seats and their prices, and then choose the appropriate option.

Choose best places to the concert, theatrical production, a musical or an opera without knowing the hall in advance is not so easy, since the halls can vary quite a lot. But several general rules It is still possible to formulate. First you need to imagine the layout of the hall. The hall has several zones that are clearly separated from each other. Maximum amount zones in Bolshoi Theater five: , , , and .

Parterre

The area of the auditorium located closest to the stage is usually below its level. It is generally believed that tickets in the first row of the stalls are the most expensive and the most good places. But this is not always the case, since the most expensive seats are in the box. And the position below the stage is not always convenient, especially if the orchestra pit and the stage are separated. Especially if it's a concert classical music where there is no need to observe what is happening in detail. But one-man performances and monologue performances are more convenient to watch from the stalls and the closer, the better in order to become an accomplice in the theatrical action.

Amphitheater

The spectator area is behind the stalls, separated from it by a passage. It can be located slightly above the ground and rise with ledges. Literally translated, an amphitheater is around a theater. Due to the fact that it is located at stage level and above, the viewer has excellent visibility and audibility, and, perhaps, it is universal in comfort, especially in the first rows. Ballet and performances with a large number characters It's best to look away from the stage so you can see all the action at once.

Mezzanine

Literally translated from French - a beautiful floor. In architecture, the second floor after the ground floor, on which the front, largest and most beautiful rooms were located. And this floor was truly decorated the best, it was the most beautiful. The mezzanine in a theater is a tier above the stalls, usually above the amphitheater.

Balcony

Tier above the mezzanine. As a rule, seats on the balcony and mezzanine are located at a sufficient distance from the stage, so they are more suitable for listening to operas, operettas and musicals (due to their elevation).

Lodges

Separate parts of the hall located on the sides of the stalls, behind it and on the tiers (at the mezzanine level). This is an individual room for several people with a separate entrance. Some even have a small hallway, an antechamber. Traditionally, the most expensive and most comfortable seats in the hall. They have the opportunity to be invisible to other viewers, and, on the contrary, to attract increased attention. They differ in tiers; the first, most prestigious tier, located at the level (or slightly above) of the stalls, is called benoir boxes (after the name of this lower tier of boxes). The lodges located above do not have a special name.

THEATER PARTERRE(French parterre, from par - by and terre - earth), the lower floor of the auditorium with seats for the public in the space from the stage or from the orchestra pit to the opposite wall or to the amphitheater. As a rule, the level of the stalls is 1–1.1 m below the stage plank, and the same amount above the floor of the orchestra pit.

The prototype, an early form of the stalls, was the bench for senators in the ancient Roman theater.

In the modern sense of the word, stalls appeared in the theater at the beginning of the 17th century, along with the emergence of a fundamentally new, so-called. “ranked” or “tiered” type of theater building. The historical transformation of the parterre arrangement reflected the development of social trends and relationships.

During the Middle Ages, the theater experienced a time of persecution, and, accordingly, no new theater buildings were built. At that time, only church performances were allowed. IN early period(9th–12th centuries) liturgical drama was played inside churches; later (12th–13th centuries), to increase the number of spectators, it was moved to the porch. The audience was positioned along an extremely long stage area. Performances of mysteries and morality plays (14th–16th centuries), due to the ever-increasing number of spectators, were carried out in blocked-off squares and streets. A booth-type stage was erected; wealthier citizens had the opportunity to watch performances from the balconies and windows of surrounding houses, the lower classes were located on the ground.

The art of constructing theater buildings experienced its rebirth during the early Renaissance in Italy. When developing projects for the first high-ranking theaters, the places in front of the stage - that is, the stalls - were traditionally intended for the lower class. Therefore, the stalls did not have seating; spectators here watched performances while standing.

Seating in the stalls first appeared in closed private aristocratic theaters in England (early 17th century), in contrast to public English theaters of that time, where spectators traditionally stood in the stalls. However, here the stalls for noble visitors were not stationary; stools were placed in the stalls as needed.

The first stationary seats in the stalls were designed by the architect C. Ledoux during the construction of the theater in Besançon (completed 1784). This innovation was to a certain extent inspired by democratic ideas French Revolution. The idea of equality manifested itself in in this case is that spectators watching the performance “from below” should be provided with the same amenities as spectators seated in boxes.

In a modern stall, seats for spectators are placed parallel to the ramp or barrier of the orchestra and are separated by longitudinal and transverse passages leading to exits from the hall. For better visibility, the floor level of the auditorium usually rises from the front rows of the stalls to the back. The most “advantageous” seats for spectators, from the point of view of acoustics, maximum visibility and integrity of perception of the visual image of the performance, are considered to be the central seats of the seventh row of the stalls.

Tatiana Shabalina

Choosing the best seats for a concert, theater production, musical or opera without knowing the hall in advance is not so easy, since the halls can vary quite a lot. But some general rules can still be formulated. First you need to imagine the layout of the hall. The hall has several zones that are clearly separated from each other. The maximum number of zones in the largest theater is five: , , , and .

Parterre

The area of the auditorium located closest to the stage is usually below its level. It is generally believed that front row tickets are the most expensive and best seats. But this is not always the case, since the most expensive seats are in the box. And the position below the stage is not always convenient, especially if the orchestra pit and the stage are separated. Moreover, if it is a classical music concert, where there is no need to observe what is happening in detail. But one-man performances and monologue performances are more convenient to watch from the stalls and the closer, the better in order to become an accomplice in the theatrical action.

Amphitheater

The spectator area is behind the stalls, separated from it by a passage. It can be located slightly above the ground and rise with ledges. Literally translated, an amphitheater is around a theater. Due to the fact that it is located at stage level and above, the viewer has excellent visibility and audibility, and, perhaps, it is universal in comfort, especially in the first rows. Ballets and performances with a large number of characters are best viewed away from the stage in order to be able to see all the action at the same time.