In the fall of 1941, the Russian countryside was on fire.

The German army was marching across the Soviet Union at an alarming rate and

villagers were torching their own towns and farms to prevent them from being taken.

The troops that were bound for Moscow were relentless, intent on reaching the Russian capital.

But Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader, wasn't about to surrender his city to Hitler.

Stalin had a plan.

If the German forces were to capture Moscow,

the city's most prized buildings were rigged to blow.

The Kremlin, the cathedrals, the fanciest hotels,

and the Bolshoy Theater.

The theater is as grand as you can imagine.

Towering columns on the outside,

all velvet chandeliers on the inside.

If Hitler made it to Moscow and wanted to celebrate his victory by going to a performance at

the Bolshoi, the Russians were ready for him.

They lined the orchestra pit of the theater with explosives,

booby trapping the building.

And in an image, I can't shake, ballerinas and circus performers were trained to dance on stage while holding grenades, to kill whoever they could if they got the chance.

Lev Nipper, a composer and a member of the Soviet secret police,

he had a very specific assignment.

If Moscow fell, if the Germans swept in,

if he could get close enough,

...