Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre

    The building of the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre is one of the greatest architectural monuments of Ukraine and one of the most beautiful theaters in the world. Opera is a real jewel of Odessa,  which worthy enters the list of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine. Learn more about this monument of architecture and art.

   Postcard (1966).

   The building is the first city theater was designed by the renowned St. Petersburg architect Thomas de Thomon. Grand opening of the theater took place February 10, 1810. The theater was white and reminded an ancient temple. Hall has 800 seats (at the time in the city lived of 12,500 people). At the three tiers of boxes were installed 44 seats, behind which was a large semi-circular space, where about 700 spectators could enjoy the show while standing, as in the old Italian theaters. The name "opera" appeared  much later in the XX century, and the first theater was called the City.

   In 1873, after 64 years after opening, the Municipal Theatre was totally destroyed by fire.
A year later, the municipality announced a competition to design the new temple of art, which would correspond to the latest theater technology and would be equal to the best European models. As a result, the construction was entrusted to the Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Herman Helmer, who has created a theater in Vienna, Budapest, Dresden and other cities in Europe.
 Project  Fellner and Helmer has not been worked out in detail, and architects during the construction period does not come to Odessa. Therefore, much revised and improved local architects Gonsirovsky Felix, Alexander and Yuri Bernardazzi Dimitrenko.

   Since the fire before laying the first stone of a new foundation has been almost 11 year. Opening of the new theater took place October 1, 1887.

     Postcard (1970) from Ksenija (Tomsk). Thank you friend (http://www.postcrossing.com/).

   The architectural style  of the Odessa Opera - "Viennese Baroque." Odessans lovingly called his theater "Viennese cake" because of its round shape and abundance of decoration.

   Postcard (modern) from Helena (Kiev). Thank you friend (http://www.postcrossing.com/).

   Above the facade stands a group of sculptures depicting the patron saint of theater muse Melpomene in a chariot drawn by four furious panthers (allegory: the power of art can only conquer brutal savagery).  Portico crowned with two sculptures that embody the music and dance: left - Orpheus plays cithara centaur, on the right - the muse Terpsichore Dance teaches the girl to his art.

    Postcard (1970) from Ksenija (Tomsk). Thank you friend (http://www.postcrossing.com/).

   Main entrance to the theater is decorated with molded embodiment of comedy and tragedy. On the left depicts an episode from the tragedy of Euripides 'Hippolytus, "on the right - the episode of the comedy of Aristophanes' Birds." On the balustrade of the building are 16 figures of putti (cupids-babies), each of them is unique and does not repeat the rest.

   In the circular niches of the upper floors of the building gable busts brilliant Russian authors - Alexander Pushkin, Alexander Griboyedov, Nikolai Gogol and Mikhail Glinka. They represent what in the name of which was built theater - poetry, drama, comedy and music. Above the master sculptures worked Neta F., F. Friedl, L. and F. Stritskius Ethel.

Kiev National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet

Kiev Opera House is one of the most beautiful buildings of neo Renaissance constructions of Kiev architectural suite, combining sounding of many epochs and centuries- from golden-domed temples of Kievan Rus to the rhythm of modern buildings of the beginning of the 20^th century.

Postcard (1966).

History of the Kiev Opera House goes back to the early 20 th century. In 1901, the place where in 1896 burned down the town theater, was a new building of the Kiev Opera. After the terrible fire, city officials held an international contest, which were presented projects for the construction of the building of the opera in Kiev. It was attended by over 20 architects, not only in Ukraine but also from Russia, France, Germany and Italy. The winner of the contest was Viktor Schreter - Professor of Architecture from St. Petersburg. At that time there was the largest opera stage in tsarist Russia. The diminutions were like that- the width of stage was 34,3 m, the depth of stage was 17,2 m, the height of stage was 22,7 m.    In those days, the Kiev Opera House really hit its grandeur and beauty. Here there were stalls, an amphitheater, second floor, and as much as 4 tiers. The building of this size could accommodate just 1,650 spectators. The main materials were velvet interior and bronze. Luxurious armchairs, elegant chandeliers and lamps were taken straight out of Vienna. The total area of the opera house was almost 100,000 cubic meters.

The October Revolution of 1917 provided great opportunities for the development of the theater. The theater was renamed the K. Liebknecht State Opera Theater in 1919 and the Kiev State Academic Ukrainian Opera in 1926. All operas were sung in Ukrainian. The theater assumed its present name in 1934 and was named in honor of T. G. Shevchenko in 1939.

            Postcard (1970)

            Postcard (1970)

General reconstruction of the theater building was carried out in 1983-1988 years. Shelling and   a direct hit bombs during the Second World War severely damaged the building. Now the total area of the stage is 824 square meters. During the renovation a new organ was made by Rieger-Clos Czech company.