The construction started in 1940 on the place of the main Sunday bazaar. The leading architect was A.V. Shchusev, who is famous for projects such as the mausoleum of Lenin in Moscow’s Red Square, the Kazan railway station in Moscow and the hotel “Moscow” in Moscow’s Red Square. The building also attracted famous masters of Uzbekistan, led by Tashpulat Arslankulov, a hereditary ganch carver (a kind of alabaster).
During the Second World War, Japanese prisoners were detained in Tashkent and used to complete the construction. Once this goal was achieved, the Japanese prisoners were granted their freedom back.
The theatre has six halls, each representing different regions of Uzbekistan, having traditional ornaments and carvings. The project was completed in 1947.
During the earthquake in Tashkent, only the axis of one of the domes moved a little; all other parts of the building remained intact.
The opera house is a symbol of Tashkent’s theatre life. If you have time and an opera or ballet is performed during your stay, we recommend visiting the performance. At a surprisingly low price, the quality of the performance will delight you.