Overview:

The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Baku, is an iconic opera house located in central Baku, Azerbaijan's capital city. The complex was constructed during the Soviet period and is now part of the cultural center of the country. The theatre was the venue of the Eurovision 2012 Song Contest and continues to be a major cultural landmark to this day. Throughout its years, the theatre has hosted numerous notable artists and performances including ballets, operas, and symphony performances, and continues to serve as a platform for some of the best performances in the country. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Azerbaijan
Prominent Features:

, the best-known and most prominent opera house is the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. It was initially opened in 1911 and serves as the home for the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. It is notably a National Historic Monument and one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The theatre employs some of the most celebrated singers, dancers, and musicians, and regularly stages the most famous ballets and operas from Azerbaijani, Russian, and other foreign composers. As one of the most popular venues in Baku, the Opera and Ballet Theatre regularly holds concerts, special events, cultural exhibitions, and other special programs related to ballet and opera. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Azerbaijan.

History:

, opera and ballet theater has a long history originating in the 19th century. The first opera company in Baku was founded in 1898 by Azerbaijani celebrity composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The first Azerbaijani operetta was "Arshin Mal Alan" produced in 1913. This was followed in 1914 by the first Azerbaijani ballet "Nizami" written by Hajibeyli and Jafar Jabbarly. The first Azerbaijani opera "Leyli and Majnun" was presented by the National Opera Theater in 1918. In 1920, following an agreement between the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the Soviet union, a permanent opera theater was created in Baku. After the death of Hajibeyli, the theater was re-named the Uzeyir Hajibeyli Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. Over the years, the theater has staged some of the most famous operas and ballets including "Cinderella" (1943), "Ariadne on Naxos" (1953), "Carmen" (1955), and "Swan Lake" (1960). Today, the theater continues to produce classic works and commissions new performances from contemporary composers. Visit one of the famous monuments of Azerbaijan with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the first professional opera performance was held in 1910. The building of the theatre was designed by the famous Azerbaijani architect Gasim bey Hagverdiyev, who was also behind the design of Zagulba Palace. The building of the theatre was inspired by the traditional form of Persian theatre. The theatre has played an important role in the development of Azerbaijani art and culture and is home to some of the most famous works in the national repertoire. Notable Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli wrote his historical opera “Koroglu” (The Blind Man’s Son) in 1912. Since then, the theatre has gone on to celebrate the works of many great Azerbaijani composers including Gara Garayev, Yusif Gafar of Ganja and others. Some of the most famous ballet performances of the theatre are “Leyli and Majnun” (1963) and “Seven Beauties” (1964). In 1966, the interior of the theatre was completely renovated and the building was even damaged by an earthquake in 1989. Fortunately, it was quickly restored and the theatre continued to attract huge audiences. It even became a platform for performing arts competitions including Eurovision, GEMS Festival, and Musical Olympus worldwide festival. The theatre is also home to the International Mugham Center and the museum of prominent Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov. Today, the theatre is still considered to be one of the most important cultural centers in Azerbaijan. One of the historical monuments of Azerbaijan, it tells the story of a bygone era