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KIEV THEATERS:

Puppet show theatre

Operetta theater

National philharmonic

Drama theater named after Franko

Theater of russian drama

 

 

Theater of opera and ballet  

 

Address: Vladimirskaya street, 50

Tel.: +38(044) 279 11 69

How to get: go to metro station Teatralnaya, leave to Bogdan Khmelnitsky street and go upwards to Teatralnaya square; or go to metro station Golden gate, go upwards Vladimirskaya street to Teatralnaya square

National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet of Ukraine named after Taras Shevchenko
Theater of opera and ballet

National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet of Ukraine named after Taras Shevchenko is situated at a crossroads of two central highways of Kiev – Bogdan Khmelnitsky and Vladimirskaya street, in a building which is an architecture monument of 19 century. Not far from Kiev Opera Theater there are St. Sofia Cathedral and Golden gate.

Acquisition of the theater new building was preceded by deplorable event: in February, 1896, after morning performance, one of dressing rooms inflamed, the fire spread to all rooms of City Theatre constructed in 1856. In a few hours the building, erected by architect I.Shtorm, was completely destroyed. It was not unussual incident for that time. For example, in course of 2 years (1889-1891) 22 theater premises were damaged by fires in Europe and America.

So long as Kiev was already large industrial and cultural centre of Russian empire, the general public and creative intelligensia put a question about new building for Opera Theatre. Resolution to announce an international competition for building design resulted from these disputes and discussions. Architects from Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France, Italy took part in competition. The winner was announced on February, 25th, 1897, known Russian architect Victor Shreter became him.

In 1898 building of new National Opera and Ballet Theatre, with more than 300 workers involved, began. Unfortunately, Victor Shreter could not see the results of his work; he died some months before the solemn consecration of the theatre.

The architect approached to the project creation very tactfully. In view of the new Opera Theatre location in Kiev historical centre, Victor Shreter saw the building in Neorenaissance blended with architecturally-natural landscape and did not discord with the surrounding buildings. The theatre building was not only beautiful, but also comfortable for spectators and workers of the theatre. Stage of new Kiev Opera Theatre was the largest in Russia. Its width was 34, 4 m, height 22, 7 m and depth 17, 2 m. Halls of Opera Theatre were steam heated, air-conditioned, stage equipment satisfied the latest requirements.

Kiev Opera Theatre amazed imagination. In the stalls, dress circle and other 4 circles of the hall, 1 318 spectators could take places simultaneously. Interiors were generally decorated with velvet and bronze. Dainty armchairs, chandeliers and lamps were brought from Austria. Total area of the theatre made up 40 210 square meters, and a cubic capacity – almost 100 000 cubic meter. In 1930th years, according to new ideological trends, Kiev Opera Theatre wanted to be reconstructed and given more proletarian look. But for some reasons this project remained unfulfilled.

In 1919 the theatre was nationalized and renamed into State Opera Theatre named after K.Libkneht. Then, in 1926, it was renamed again into Kiev State Academic Ukrainian Opera Theatre (as performances were in Ukrainian). In 1934 Kiev became the capital of Ukrainian republic, and the theatre was renamed once again into Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of USSR. The name of Taras Shevchenko was given to Opera Theatre in 1939.

Within more than 80 years the building of National Opera in Kiev was not repaired. Design, external and internal decor went bad, stage equipment became out of date. In connection with geological features of soil the theatre building began to sink and crack gradually. During the Great Patriotic War bombing affected also. First capital repairs were carried out in 1984-1987. Grandiose work was made, and in 1988 Opera Theatre of Ukraine opened its doors for art-lovers again. In spite of the years passed since the restoration, today Opera Theatre still admires with refinement of interiors, solemnity and luxury. Large Venetian mirrors decorate foyer, marble stairs are illuminated with expensive porcelain lamps; everything is bronze, gilded, crystal. Theater’s backstage was considerably changed too: stage sizes were increased, stage equipment was renewed, and orchestra pit was reconstructed (now it numbered 100 places), new organ, made in Czech Republic under the theater individual order, was bought.

Comparing the history of National Opera of Ukraine and other outstanding theatres of the world, one can say it is rather short. First permanent Opera troupe was organized in Kiev just in 1867, but already soon could be compared with leading theatres of St.-Petersburg and Moscow, and became one of the best in Russian empire. In repertoire of Kiev Opera there were "Askold’s grave" of A.Verstovsky, "Water-nymph" of A.Dargomyzhsky, " Life for the Tsar" and "Ruslan and Lyudmila" of M.Glinka, "Queen of spades" and "Mazepa" of P.Tchaikovsky.

National Ukrainian opera predecessor was First Kiev City Theatre which numbered 470 places. Performances were in Russian and Polish. Sometimes, opera or ballet was played here, known actors performed: Schepkin, Mochalov, Oldridzh, Mlotkovsky, Zhivokini. In the middle of 19 century Italian opera troupes toured in Kiev and promoted increasing of opera-lovers number. But opera was available exclusively for capital cities such as Moscow or St.-Petersburg, not for the provinces. After building of the new building was finished, theater repertoire was extended with the works of Ukrainian composers: M.Lysenko "Taras Bulba", "Christmas night", S.Gulak Artemovsky "Zaporozhye Cossak over Danube", V.Kostenko "Karmeluk" and others.

Today National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after Taras Shevchenko has ballet and opera troupe, and symphonic orchestra also. Theater’s creative reputation remains invariably high for several decades and play on tour in different countries of the world with great success. Repertoire of National Opera Theatre of Ukraine includes works of Lysenko, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Borodino, Verdi, Puccini, Adana, Leonkavallo, Rimsky-Korsakov, Musorgsky and many other world known composers. In 20 century such performers shined here as Maria Litvinenko-Volgemut, Ivan Patorzhinsky, Mihaylo Grishko, Dmitry Gnatyuk, Evgenia Miroshnichenko, Anatoly Solovyanenko, Victoria Lukyanets, Galina Tuftina, Anatoly Mokrenko, Elena Potapova, Valery Kovtun.

Сегодня Национальный академический Theater of opera and ballet им. Тараса Шевченко располагает балетной и оперной труппой, а также симфоническим оркестром. Творческая репутация оперного театра остаётся неизменно высокой уже не одно десятилетие, с успехом проходят гастроли в разных странах мира. В репертуар Национального оперного театра Украины входят произведения  Лысенко, Чайковского, Моцарта, Бородина, Верди, Пуччини, Адана, Леонкавалло, Римского-Корсакова, Мусоргского, а также многих других композиторов с мировым именем. В 20 веке на сцене киевского оперного театра в разное время блистали такие исполнители, как: как Мария Литвиненко-Вольгемут, Иван Паторжинский, Михайло Гришко, Дмитрий Гнатюк, Евгения Мирошниченко, Анатолий Соловьяненко, Виктория Лукьянец, Галина Туфтина, Анатолий Мокренко, Елена Потапова, Валерий Ковтун.

 

 

 

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