It is believed that the history of the Bolshoi Theatre began in March 1776, when Prince Pyotr Urusov, a known patron and Moscow prosecutor, received permission to organize theatrical performances. Together with his partner Mikhail Medox, they created the first permanent troupe in Moscow.

Initially, the theatre did not have its own building and held performances in Vorontsov's house on Znamenka. In 1780, based on the project by H. Rozberg and funded by Medox, a stone building was erected on the site of the modern Bolshoi Theatre, named "Petrovsky" after the street it was located on. The repertoire included dramatic, operatic, and ballet performances, with a special emphasis on operas, which is why the theatre was often called the "Opera House."

In 1805, the building burned down, and until 1825, performances took place at various venues. In the 1820s, the square in front of the former Petrovsky Theatre was redesigned by architect Osip Bove, and the dominant feature of the ensemble became the new Bolshoi Theatre building, which opened on January 6 (18), 1825. It included elements from the burned Petrovsky Theatre and was recognized as one of the best in Europe.

On March 11, 1853, a fire occurred in the theatre, destroying costumes, decorations, and archives. The restoration was led by Albert Kavos, who altered the proportions of the building and decor, adding cast-iron galleries. The new theatre opened on August 20, 1856, for the coronation of Alexander II.

The last performance of the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre took place on February 28, 1917, and on March 13, the State Bolshoi Theatre opened. In the 1920s, it became a venue for congresses and meetings but continued to operate as a theatre. In the autumn of 1941, the building was damaged by a bomb, but by the autumn of 1943, it resumed operations after restoration.

In the late 20th century, a large-scale restoration was carried out, completed in 2011, during which the historical appearance was preserved and the technical condition of the theatre improved. Today, the Bolshoi Theatre remains a major cultural center of the capital.