Tbilisi Opera history book celebrates reopening of iconic venue

Tbilisi’s Opera and Ballet State Theatre is celebrating its reopening after six years of renovations by publishing a new edition of a book that offers the most meticulous account of the theatre’s rich history.

The book, titled 100 Years of the Opera Theatre by culture historian Shalva Kashmadze was presented at the new theatre as part of its reopening week celebrations.

The two-volume book was first published in 1952 and was considered a unique source of the Theatre’s history over its first 100 years, since 1851.

The renovated Opera and Ballet Theatre will officially reopen on January 30 with a celebratory ceremony. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

The book included facts about the venue from the early years as well as information on artists and administrative figures of the Tbilisi theatre. 

It also featured full list of operas and ballets staged at the venue up until 1951.

Kashmadze’s work became especially important after the 1973 fire at the Opera and Ballet Theatre, which almost entirely destroyed the rich archives detailing the venue’s history.

Publishing a new edition of the book was the initiative of music critic Gulbat Toradze. The project was led by Ketevan Nozadze and the design for the book was created by Besik Danelia.

See the first photographs of the renovated Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre here.

The book’s presentation will be followed by a screening of a documentary film about the return of the iconic stage curtain to the Theatre by late painter Sergo Kobuladze.

Other events planned for the reopening celebration include a photo exhibition comparing the venue before and after the renovation.

The Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre will officially reopen in a celebratory ceremony on January 30.