Long-awaited day arrives: Tbilisi Opera House reopens

Tbilisi's iconic Opera and State Ballet Theatre has opened after a six-year renovation break.

The historic building opened its doors last night, concluding a week-long program of presentations, exhibitions and film screenings celebrating the long-awaited reopening.

The Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre reopened with a new version of the Georgian opera Abesalom and Eteri. Photo by Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia.

In Pictures: Splendour of the renovated Tbilisi Opera House

A new version of the Georgian opera Abesalom and Eteri, a customary production that opened annual seasons at the theatre, was performed on the opening night.

Globally recognised Georgian opera stars Tamar Iveri and Lado Ataneli were cast in the celebratory performance, which was directed by Gizo Zhordania. The sets were designed by local designer Gogi Aleksi-Meskhishvili.

Renovated Opera House. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge

The historic opera house in the Georgian capital was built when Georgia was part of imperial Russia. It has survived the Soviet era and Georgia's own civil war.

Renovated Opera House. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge

About $40 million USD was spent on the restoration of the building during the past six years.

Renovated Opera House. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge