Estonia Theatre is an historic building in
Tallinn
Tallinn () is the most populous and capital city of Estonia. Situated on a bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, Tallinn has a population of 437,811 (as of 2022) and administratively lies in the Harju '' ...
,
Estonia
Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, a ...
, which houses the
Estonian National Opera
Estonian National Opera (''Rahvusooper Estonia'') is the national opera company of Estonia. The company is based at the Estonia Theatre in Tallinn. The theatre has had several names throughout its existence. The latest one being "The Estonian Nati ...
and the
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra ( et, Eesti Riiklik Sümfooniaorkester ''(ERSO)'') is the leading orchestra in Estonia and is based in the capital Tallinn. The orchestra traces it roots to 18 December 1926, the first concert broadcast by Tal ...
.
The original
Jugendstil
''Jugendstil'' ("Youth Style") was an artistic movement, particularly in the decorative arts, that was influential primarily in Germany and elsewhere in Europe to a lesser extent from about 1895 until about 1910. It was the German counterpart of ...
building was designed by Finnish architects
Armas Lindgren
Armas Eliel Lindgren (28 November 1874 – 3 October 1929) was Finnish architect, professor and painter.
Biography Early life and career
Armas Lindgren was born in Hämeenlinna on 28 November 1874. He studied architecture in the Polytechnical ...
and
Wivi Lönn. It was built as a national effort with the leadership of Estonia society in 1913 and was opened to the public on 24 August. At the time, it was the largest building in Tallinn.
The theatre was heavily damaged in the
Soviet air raid on Tallinn on 9 March 1944. It was reconstructed in a
classical and
Stalinist style, and reopened in 1947.
![Vaade Estonia teatrile ja Uuele turule](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Vaade_Estonia_teatrile_ja_Uuele_turule.%2C_AM_12854-472_F_5496-472.jpg)
In 1946, it served as the home of the newly created
Tallinn Ballet School and was the location of the debut of one of the graduates of the school's first class,
Helmi Puur. She was the
prima ballerina
A ballet dancer ( it, ballerina fem.; ''ballerino'' masc.) is a person who practices the art of classical ballet. Both females and males can practice ballet; however, dancers have a strict hierarchy and strict gender roles. They rely on ye ...
of the theater between 1954 and 1956, 1958 and 1960, and 1964 to 1966.
![EEK-50krooni-rear](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/EEK-50krooni-rear.jpg)
The building has two large auditoriums in two separate wings. A chamber hall was opened in 2006. Also the Concert Hall is located in the building.
In 1997, the hall was thoroughly renovated.
See also
*
Estonian Drama Theatre
The Estonian Drama Theatre ( et, Eesti Draamateater) is a theatre in Tallinn, Estonia. It has the role of a national theatre for Estonia. The Estonia Theatre is located next door.
History
The building that houses the Estonian Drama Theatre was or ...
References
Estonia majast '
RussianFinnishEnglish, images only''
* http://www.classictic.com/en/Tallinn/Estonian-National-Opera
1913 establishments in Estonia
Buildings and structures in Tallinn
Theatres in Tallinn
Opera houses in Estonia
Kesklinn, Tallinn
Art Nouveau architecture in Estonia
Tourist attractions in Tallinn
Theatres completed in 1913
Music venues completed in 1913
Theatres completed in 1947
Music venues completed in 1947
Art Nouveau theatres
Heritage listed buildings and structures in Estonia
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