Latvian National Opera
Latvian National Opera is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Riga audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~45 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type theater
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Riga Riga guide
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About Latvian National Opera
Riga's Classicist 'white house' opera, built in 1863, gutted by fire in 1882 and rebuilt by 1887; today home to the Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
The Latvian National Opera building is home to the Latvian National Opera and the Latvian National Ballet. Completed in 1863 to a design by the St Petersburg architect Ludwig Bohnstedt, it was built for the German-speaking Riga City Theatre. This Classicist building, fronted by a columned portico, stands at the edge of the Old Town beside the City Canal and Bastejkalns park. On 14 June 1882 the theatre burned down, leaving only its outer walls, and it was reconstructed between 1882 and 1887 under Riga's chief architect Reinhold Schmaeling, following Bohnstedt's original design.
The first opera performed in Latvian here was Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, on 27 December 1912. The Latvian National Opera as an institution dates from 1919. During the Soviet period it was the Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Latvian SSR, reverting to its former name in 1989. A major reconstruction in 1991-1995 was followed by an annex in 2001. Its Great Hall seats about 946 people, and it hosts the annual Riga Opera Festival, established in 1998.
Did you know? Completed in 1863 for the German-speaking Riga City Theatre, the building burned down on 14 June 1882 and was rebuilt by 1887 inside its surviving outer walls, following the original design.
How long should you spend at Latvian National Opera?
Plan about ~45 min at Latvian National Opera. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Latvian National Opera worth visiting?
Latvian National Opera is one of the 21 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Riga, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Riga
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Latvian National Opera and read more:
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Hear the story of Latvian National Opera
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