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432:, was hired to oversee the project. The construction was completed in 1851. The interior of the theater was decorated by a Parisian designer, using colored velvet, gold and silver details, and expensive silks. A massive chandelier weighing 1,218 kilograms (2,685 lb), unassembled in 12 large boxes, was shipped by a steamer from Marseille to Kulevi on the Black Sea coast. Buffalo pulled the chandelier more than 300 kilometres (190 mi) to Tiflis. Russian painter
394:, which prompted some Russians to see Georgian aristocrats as the only bulwark protecting Russia's southern imperial borders. Vorontsov's conciliatory efforts were not without controversy, as not all Russians were enthusiastic about non-Russian contributions to the city's cultural development; some objected to Georgian-language productions and had them moved to different days, rather than precede regular opera performances as it was done up to that point.
584:, one of Georgia's national composers. Unrest and destabilization in Georgia in the 1990s affected the Tbilisi opera theater, as it did many others in the country. The government could not provide sufficient resources for the theater to function: this prevented the creation of new scenery or costumes, the recruitment of artists, and maintenance of the already vulnerable building. Following the
371:, implemented a number of cultural initiatives, one of which was the foundation of the opera. The declared purpose of its establishment was to benefit the "public well-being" but it also served an important political goal of fully integrating the local Georgian aristocracy into the Imperial social life, thereby distracting them from any further anti-Russian conspiracies.
547:. Though the fire brigade was across the street, the firefighters did not respond at first and did not bring ladders when they did, leading to outrage and accusations of the fire being intentional. The theater was completely destroyed, including the rich musical library, costumes, scenery, props and all of Gagarin's paintings.
362:
in 1801. Georgia remained an uneasy and inadequately integrated part of the empire in the first half of the 19th century. Unhappy with
Russian policies, the Georgian aristocracy plotted to overthrow the local Russian government in 1832. When their scheme was discovered, it led to numerous arrests and
470:(issue 25 October 1851) printed a large article by Edmond de Bares with two pictures of the interior of the theater. The author wrote, "This is the only theatre in the city, the interior of which is totally
456:
On 12 April 1851, the theater held its grand opening, attended by the high society of Tiflis. As the theater stage was not yet complete, the theater instead held a masked ball and charity fundraiser for the
565:, submitted the winning design. Construction of the new theater took years to get underway. There were repeated delays throughout the project, with the design not officially approved by Governor
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Plans were made to rebuild the opera house. The theater decided to continue its season from the "Summer
Theater", and returned 27 December with its production of
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The foundation of the Tiflis
Imperial Opera was closely intertwined with the turbulent political processes in Georgia following the country's annexation by the
517:
The
Italians performed 12 different opera performances over the course of three months. As a consequence, the orchestra was enriched with new instruments and
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436:
created the artwork for the theater and its first stage curtain. The second curtain was designed by Sergo
Kobuladze in the 1950s. Vorontsov appointed writer
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in southern Russia, they had lost all patience and refused to continue to Tiflis. Finally, they resumed, pausing often to rest as they traveled via the
417:, an area the administration correctly envisioned would be the center of the expanding city. The land was given free of charge from the governor of the
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In the spring of 1851, the theater director invited an
Italian opera troupe, which had been touring the Russian Empire under the conductorship of
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leadership; the most recent restoration effort concluded in
January 2016, having taken six years and costing approximately 40 million
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repressions in the years that followed. Anxious to reconcile the
Georgian opinion in view of these lingering difficulties, the new
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334:, the Georgian national composer whose name the institution has carried since 1937. The Opera and Ballet Theater also houses the
315:
opera house. Since its foundation, the theater has been damaged by several fires and underwent major rehabilitation works under
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in style, and is doubtless one of the most elegant, beautiful and fascinating theatrical constructions, conceived by man."
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510:. After the spectacle, which had a great success, the hosts led Barbieri and the company to the left bank of the
284:. Founded in 1851, Tbilisi Opera is the main opera house of Georgia and one of the oldest such establishments in
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To satisfy
Georgians, Vorontsov went on to patronize Georgian-language theater performances and did everything
368:
711:
Michael David-Fox, Peter
Holquist, Alexander Martin. Orientalism and Empire in Russia. Slavica: 2006, p. 305
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would permit to win over locals. These types of efforts were particularly relevant in light of the ongoing
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588:, however, the newly elected government improved the situation in opera as part of its cultural reforms.
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350:, while also serving as a traditional venue for national celebrations and presidential inaugurations.
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in its decorations and style, the building's layout, foyers and the main hall are that of a typical
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The foundations of The Tiflis Imperial Theater were laid down on 15 April 1847. Italian architect
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until 1880. Even after the construction began, it would sometimes come to a complete halt.
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The opera house is one of the centers of cultural life in Tbilisi and was once home to
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Sigua, Maia (2017). "The Curtain of Tbilisi Opera House: Two Symbols, One Story".
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Orientalism and Empire: North Caucasus Mountain Peoples and the Georgian Frontier
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One month later, the first theatrical season officially opened in Tiflis with
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Tbilisi to reopen opera house that has survived tsars, Soviets and civil war
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for a public feast, where people celebrated on boats for the whole night.
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under the leadership of internationally renowned Georgian ballerina
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At Vorontsov's initiative, the original theater site was chosen on
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tbilisis op'erisa da balet'is sakhelmts'ipo ak'ademiuri teat'ri
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Montserrat Caballé To Give Concert At Opera Theater in Tbilisi
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On 11 October 1874, a fire began before a performance of
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Music in Art: International Journal for Music Iconography
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The city held a contest for a new architectural design.
251:თბილისის ოპერისა და ბალეტის სახელმწიფო აკადემიური თეატრი
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Several months later, the popular Parisian newspaper
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Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi
342:. In recent years it has hosted opera stars such as
742:[Tbilisi Opera - History of its Creation].
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421:, provided the theater would belong to the city.
295:Since 1896, the theater has resided in an exotic
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678:Edge of Empires: A History of Georgia.
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67:თბილისის ოპერისა და ბალეტის სახელმწიფო
60:Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theater
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697:The Literature of Georgia: A History.
561:, an architect of German origin from
736:Malkhaz Ebralidze (9 January 2013).
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179:Inaugurated
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491:Stavropol
257:romanized
218:(rebuild)
187:Renovated
163:Completed
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150:(1937)
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