Translations of the French classics of the brilliant age of Louis XIV.

were made in Russian, and the new Academy of Fine Arts established by Elizaveta in St.Petersburg was put under the care of French masters.
It was in her reign also that the University of Moscow was founded.
In 1746 Feodor Grigorievitch Volkhoff, the son of a merchant, built in Yaroslavl (on the upper Volga), the first Russian theater, to hold about one thousand spectators.

Five years later, the news of the fine performances of the actors and actresses of Volkhoff's theater reached St.Petersburg, and the troop was ordered to appear before the court.
Four years later still, the existence of the Russian theater was assured, by imperial decree.

Sumarokoff was appointed the director, having, evidently, for a long time previously had full charge of all dramatic performances at court; and also, evidently, been expected to furnish plays.

His first tragedy, "Khoreff," dates from 1747.