David Kaplan successfully leads the project of the Bolshoi Theater restoration in Moscow

David Kaplan, a brilliant Russian businessman, was born in 1963 in USSR in a traditional Jewish family. After school, he attended University with a concentration in mathematics, system programmer, game theory. David Kaplan is often perceived as a Russian businessman from Moscow, it is because he lived and worked in Moscow for a long time and has implemented many successful projects on the territory of the Russian Federation. Now David Kaplan resides in his historical homeland Jerusalem. From early childhood, he asked questions, searched for answers, and generated ideas.

Besides being punctual and hard-working, the qualities that David inherited from his parents, he has a special talent for visualizing the result of the coordinated work of all parts of a single mechanism. Over time, this helped him learn how to find the most complex technical solutions for the implementation of the assigned design tasks, and not only for the sake of the result, but also for the process of finding the right solution, which gives him great pleasure. 

What makes David Kaplan’s projects so successful? He personally selects the team, he scouts the best minds around the world, he puts on his shoes and helmet on and goes into the field. He is always present in person or remotely at each stage of the project, carefully checks every detail, and provides strong management. Entrepreneurs often work hard, not because they see the business as a job, but because they love doing what they do.This is where hard work meets passion and becomes such a strong force to willing an entrepreneur forward in their chosen domain.

David Kaplan Russian has always been interested in architecture, project management, and engineering, that is why when he had a chance to lead the restoration in the last stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, he had not hesitated to dive into the the project. For more than 200 years of its existence, the Bolshoi Theatre, like the Red Square, has become a visiting card not only of the capital of Russia but of the whole world. Getting into the main theater of the country was and remains the main dream of anyone who finds himself in Moscow: for the whole world, it is the Bolshoi Theater that personifies the great Russian musical heritage. The restoration and reconstruction of the main building of the Bolshoi Theater have become a colossal world-class project. The theater building has long been perceived as one of the symbols of Russia. The building of the Bolshoi Theater is a monument of architecture and history of the federal security category and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was one of the most important projects of the president of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, which construction he supervised personally. The historic building of the Bolshoi Theater has been closed for reconstruction since July 2, 2005.

In July 2009, David Kaplan entered the project for the reconstruction and restoration of the complex of buildings of the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia. Russian entrepreneur from Moscow became the general contractor and achieved a significant increase in the pace of work in the shortest possible time. 

The history of reconstructions and restorations of the Bolshoi Theater building began almost from the first years of its existence. By the time of the beginning of the current reconstruction, the deterioration of the building was, according to various estimates, from 50 to 70 percent. Various options were proposed for its restoration: from a trivial major overhaul to a complete reconstruction of the existing building. As a result, a project was chosen that was approved by the theater troupe, architects, cultural figures, etc. The project provided for the scientific restoration of the spectator section of the theater and a cardinal reconstruction of the stage section with deepening of the underground space. At the same time, the historical appearance of the building as an architectural monument was to be preserved. 

In the early years of the project, a thorough study of the building itself took place, scanning its position in space, the state of its walls, and foundations; and only in the fall of 2009 when the Russian entrepreneur from Moscow David Kaplan took over, the huge and badly worn-out building of the Bolshoi Theater has been moved. Over the next two years, record volumes of work on the restoration and reconstruction of the theater were carried out. Every day, over a half thousand professionals worked in the building, of which about a thousand were restorers. And a thousand more specialists worked for the benefit of the Bolshoi in restoration workshops outside the theater. In addition to restoring the historical appearance and interiors, the designers were tasked to provide the theater with new premises. It was successfully solved by creating an underground space.
Another equally important task was the need to combine strictly scientific restoration in the historical zone and the installation of the most modern technological equipment in the stage part and new spaces of the theater.

The Bolshoi Theater even in many respects restored the historical appearance that had been lost during the years of Soviet power. The auditorium and part of its suite have acquired the form in which they were conceived by the architect of the Bolshoi Theater, Albert Kavos. The halls of the former imperial foyer were restored as of 1895 when their interiors were changed in preparation for the celebrations that accompanied the coronation of Emperor Nicholas II. For each recreated or restored element of the interior, a special project was created, separate documentation was developed based on the results of numerous archival and field studies.

In 2010, the premises of the auditorium suite were restored: the Main Lobby, the White Foyer, the Choral, the Exposition, the Round, and Beethoven Halls. Muscovites saw the restored facades and the updated symbol of the Bolshoi Theater - the famous Apollo quadriga, created by the sculptor Peter Klodt. The auditorium has regained its original beauty. And now every spectator of the Bolshoi Theater can feel like a theater-goer of the 19th century and marvel at its magnificent and at the same time "light" decoration. The bright crimson draperies of the inner rooms of the boxes strewn with gold, plaster arabesques of various kinds on each floor, the picturesque plafond "Apollo and the Muses" - all this gives the auditorium the appearance of a fairytale palace.

Particular attention has been paid to the restoration of the legendary acoustics. International experts carried out numerous acoustic studies and strictly followed the implementation of all technical recommendations. The auditorium is completely wooden that allows you to create the necessary conditions for a better perception of the sound of singing voices and musical instruments. Russian businessman from Moscow David Kaplan is well educated in musical instruments and acoustics. He knew that the exceptional sound of the legendary violins of Stradivarius and Guarneri was largely due to the special grade and composition of the wood used. Wood panels are the main component of the acoustics of the auditorium of the Bolshoi Theater. They create the effect of "room sound" due to amplification timbre of sound made from the scene with simultaneous “echo absorption”. Russian entrepreneur got busy searching for a specialist in wood, which would meet all the required physical and acoustic properties. International experts have conducted numerous acoustic studies of pine trees following the strict implementation of technical recommendations. After that, the right pine was found in the forest of Finland and David Kaplan brought it to Russia. The unique decks were completely restored as well as the auditorium, nodes of wooden pendants, ceiling lags, supporting ceiling panels and other related elements. The overwhelming success of the project and rave reviews from acoustic experts spread across the world.

 

The most modern solutions in the field of stage mechanization found their application in the project. The historical stage of the Bolshoi Theater consists of seven two-level lifting and lowering platforms. These platforms can easily change their position so that the stage can become horizontal, inclined, or stepped. You can combine the space of the stage and the backstage, which creates an incredible depth of stage space.

 

The new upper stage mechanization made it possible to fully use light, sound, and visual effects. The stage space is equipped with special modern devices for placing lighting fixtures, equipment for special effects, and acoustics. 

On October 28, 2011, the opening of the country's main stage took place. The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow can welcome visitors around the world of art and culture. The Bolshoi Theater presents one of the world's main theater stages and played an outstanding role in the formation of the Russian musical stage school and the development of Russian national art, including the famous Russian ballet.

David Kaplan Katerina Bosov