Navoi Theatre

Overview

The Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre is Tashkent's premier performing arts venue — an architectural showpiece built in 1947 by Japanese prisoners of war. Each of its six auditorium foyers is decorated in a different regional Uzbek architectural style.

Highlights

• Six Regional Foyers: Each foyer showcases carved ganch plaster in the style of a different Uzbek city — Bukhara, Khiva, Samarkand, Tashkent, Fergana, and Termez.
• Main Auditorium: A 1,400-seat hall with superb acoustics and a massive crystal chandelier.
• Evening Performances: Opera, ballet, and symphonic concerts at remarkably affordable prices (from 20,000 UZS).

History

Built between 1942 and 1947, the theatre was constructed largely by Japanese POWs held in Tashkent after World War II. The lead architect, Alexei Shchusev, designed Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow. Remarkably, the building survived the 1966 earthquake virtually undamaged — a testament to the quality of its construction.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Attend an evening performance — tickets are extremely affordable by international standards.
• Tip 2: Interior tours can be arranged through the box office if no performance is scheduled.
• Duration: 1.5 hours (with performance).