Artistic Director Rudolf Furmanov, whom Mr Putin had met while living in St Petersburg, gave his guest a tour of the theatre, telling him about the company and its most important productions.

Passing through one of the rooms, Mr Putin saw a piano and went up to it to play a popular tune. "But it's out of tune!" he exclaimed, after playing a few notes. "Yes, it's untunable," the theatre's chief replied with a laugh. He then took the prime minister to the foyer to show him a display of stage set models.

Mr Putin then ascended to a balcony for a panoramic view of the auditorium.