Buildings, like people, have their own history, and what theythe older, the more interesting, and often more dramatic. The National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of Ukraine was no exception. Until 1867 there was no permanent acting troupe in the city theater, built in 1856 according to the project of I. Shtrom. Domestic and foreign troupes came to the city with tours, Italian opera singers were especially successful. Since Kiev residents enjoyed visiting the theater, it was decided to create their own troupe.
For the creative debut of the theater troupe wasselected work Verstovskogo "Askold's Grave." The premiere was a great success, the amazing work of the actors and the scenery conveyed the historical atmosphere of the events that took place in the capital of Ukraine many centuries ago.
Kiev Opera House began to enjoy a largepopular, his troupe was not inferior to the eminent theaters of the Russian Empire. The repertoire is constantly updated with works of Russian and foreign composers. Fine music sounded at the theater: Mikhail Glinka, Sergei Rakhmaninov, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Alexander Dargomyzhsky, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Nikolai Lysenko, Alexey Verstovsky, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gioacchino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi and other outstanding composers.
Perhaps the current beautiful theater building andnot built, if not the tragic circumstances of 1896. A fire that occurred in one of the outbuildings of the theater during the morning performance quickly turned into a fire that almost completely destroyed the building. The townspeople, who already fell in love with the Kiev Opera House, appealed to the authorities with a petition for the construction of a new building. City authorities approached the issue responsibly, a competition for the best project was announced.
Since Kiev was one of the largestcultural centers of the Russian Empire, the theater building had to meet all the requirements of the time. The competition was attended by domestic and foreign architects. The project of the outstanding Russian architect Viktor Schroeter was considered the best work, who considered the surrounding landscape and architectural style while creating.
Уже в 1898 году рабочие приступили к building a neo-renaissance building. The work was carried out for three years under the guidance of the famous architect Vladimir Nikolaev - the author of the famous monument to Bogdan Khmelnitsky. Unfortunately, Viktor Aleksandrovich did not have time to see the erected Kiev Opera House, he died shortly before the end of the work.
The new building was not only different in elegance andbeauty of decoration, but also the most modern equipment of the day: air conditioning, steam heating and high-tech stage equipment. At the opening and consecration of the building, those present appreciated the luxurious exterior and interior of the theater. Numerous sculptures, sculpting, sparkling crystal, marble, gilding and velvet amazed with their majesty and brilliance. In addition, the theater possessed the widest stage of the country and could simultaneously receive 1600 visitors. Finally I received a wonderful Kiev Opera House, reviews of the repertoire and the newest building were enthusiastic.
The theater building was decorated with sculptures,the center of which was the emblem of the city. It was located above the main entrance, it is depicted on it by the Archangel Michael - the patron saint of Kiev. Since the church considered Melpomene’s place of service sinful, Metropolitan Theognost insisted on replacing the coat of arms. Therefore, the griffins began to adorn the main entrance, holding in their paws a symbol of musical creativity - the lyre.
The company contributed to the decoration of the theaterThe Mariinsky Theater, busts of composers Glinka and Serov, which were donated to colleagues in the creative workshop, decorated the facade of the building. Prominent composers Tchaikovsky and Rakhmanov visited the Opera Theater (Kiev) on tour.
Репертуар включал в себя такие знаменитые оперные works like “Eugene Onegin”, “Mazepa”, “Oprichnik”, “The Queen of Spades”, “Aleko”, “The Snow Maiden”, “Ivan Susanin”, “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, “Rusalka”, “The Marriage of Figaro” and many others .
Theater fame grew.During his stay in Kiev, Emperor Nicholas II, the august family and retinue were present on September 1, 1911, on the opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan. Such a joyous event was overshadowed by the death of Prime Minister Stolypin, who came to the city together with the august family to unveil the monument to Alexander II.
Peter Arkadevich was in the theater, during intermissionHe was mortally wounded by the anarchist Bogrov in front of Nicholas II. Doctors did not lose hope and fought for his life, but the injury turned out to be too serious, and in the evening of September 5 Stolypin did not become. According to the will of Peter Arkadyevich, he wanted to be buried where he was killed. They buried the prime minister in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
The building has undergone several renovations, inthe thirties of the last century planned a complete change in the appearance of the theater. According to the Soviet authorities, his style and decoration contradicted the needs of the working class. Fortunately, these plans did not come true. Only an extension with additional rehearsal rooms was added to the building, and only the busts of the composers fell victim to the changes.
Имя Тараса Григорьевича Шевченко оперный театр Kiev received in 1939, replacing by that time several names. Conducted rescued during the Second World War, the National Opera House. Kiev was then bombarded and bombed. A shell hit the roof of the building, pierced it and fell into the floor, without breaking off.
A thorough renovation began in 1983,work was done to increase the total area of the theater, rehearsal rooms and dressing rooms were added, the stage and orchestral also became much larger. Stage equipment and lighting were replaced by a modern one; an organ was manufactured by special order in the Czech Republic. They tried to carry out the reconstruction in such a way as to preserve the brilliant creation of Viktor Schroeter as much as possible.
Today, residents and guests of the capital of Ukraine enjoy visiting the National Theater, the repertoire of the troupe is constantly updated, and the music of outstanding composers is still heard in the walls.
The troupe of the National Academic Opera andBallet today continues to compete with the best theater companies in the world. The tour has always been a great success, and the audience continues to admire the works of outstanding composers performed by theater artists. Visitors get pleasure not only from operas and ballet performances, the excursion around the beautiful building itself is always admirable.
Located theater on the street.Vladimirskaya, 50 (metro station "Golden Gate"). It will be easier to get there using the services of the Kiev Metro. The theater is located at the intersection of Bohdan Khmelnitsky Street with Vladimirskaya Street, in the neighborhood of it are the famous sights of Kiev: the Golden Gate and St. Sophia Cathedral.
