MOSCOW, September 14 (RIA Novosti) - Russian...

The Bolshoi said it was up to the Culture Ministry, whose now dissolved agency had been the first customer in the project, to look into the accusations.

"The Bolshoi"s main task is to preserve the company and the best performances by the country"s leading theater," theater spokeswoman Yekaterina Novikova said.

Commenting on the Audit Chamber"s misspending claims in August, Directorate chief Yakov Sarkisov cited a need for additional studies, new underground communications, more complex foundation reinforcement work, and new construction standards as being behind the rising expenses.

Bolshoi ballet and opera productions continue at a recently built theater nearby.