National Opera and Ballet, Sofia

The National Opera and Ballet in Bulgaria is a significant cultural institution dedicated to opera and ballet performances. It is situated in an impressive building located in Sofia. The origins of opera in Bulgaria date back to 1890 when the first opera company was established as a part of the Capital Opera and Drama Company. However, in 1891, this organization split into two entities: the Salza i Smyah theatrical company and the Capital Bulgarian Opera. Unfortunately, due to financial challenges and a lack of government support, the Capital Bulgarian Opera was disbanded the following year.

In 1908, the Bulgarian Opera Society was formed, and it conducted its initial test performance. The first complete opera, "Pagliacci" by Leoncavallo, was performed in 1909. Over the years, the company developed and adopted an ensemble-based approach. This ensemble consisted of soloists, a choir, an orchestra, a ballet troupe, as well as technical and production teams. Together, they managed to produce as many as 10 opera and ballet premieres annually, alongside concert programs.

Throughout the 20th century, many renowned performers, including Nicolai Ghiaurov, Nicola Ghiuselev, Ghena Dimitrova, and later, Irena Petkova, launched their careers within the framework of the National Opera. The National Opera and Ballet's current building was designed in 1921 and was mostly constructed between 1947 and its official inauguration in 1953.