Opera and Ballet Theatre, Odessa (must see)

The Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre stands as one of Ukraine’s most iconic landmarks, embodying the city’s artistic spirit and architectural grandeur. First inaugurated in 1810 and later rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1873, the current building opened in 1887 under the design of Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer. Their creation reflects the late Viennese Baroque style, adorned with opulent stucco work, grand columns, and statues depicting scenes from classical mythology. The theatre’s façade, with its sweeping curves and sculptural detail, remains one of the most photographed sights in Odessa.

Inside, the theatre is no less impressive. The lavish auditorium, with its red and gold décor, crystal chandeliers, and gilded ornamentation, recalls the opulence of 19th-century imperial Europe. Its acoustics are famously precise, allowing even a whisper from the stage to be heard in the uppermost balconies. The ceiling frescoes—depicting scenes from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”—add a poetic touch to the setting, while the horseshoe-shaped hall accommodates over 1,600 spectators in tiers of boxes and galleries.

Beyond its architectural beauty, the theatre has long been a centre of cultural life in Odessa. It hosted premieres and performances by some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Enrico Caruso, Feodor Chaliapin, and Anna Pavlova. Today, it continues to present a vibrant program of opera and ballet productions, blending classical repertoire with contemporary interpretations.

Evening performances here remain one of the quintessential Odessa experiences—an encounter with history, elegance, and the enduring passion of the city’s artistic soul.