Alisher Navoiy Theater

Located in the heart of Tashkent, the Alisher Navoiy State Academic Bolshoi Theatre stands as a proud symbol of Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage. Named after the 15th-century poet and philosopher Alisher Navoiy, the theater is one of the most prestigious performing arts venues in Central Asia, renowned for its grand architecture and impressive artistic program. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece. Completed in 1947 and designed by Soviet architect Alexey Shchusev, the theater beautifully blends neoclassical Soviet architecture with Uzbek ornamental motifs. It is widely believed that Japanese prisoners of war contributed to its construction, a poignant historical footnote that adds depth to the site’s legacy. Its marble interiors, elegant chandeliers, and intricately decorated halls reflect both luxury and national identity. Inside, the theater hosts a dynamic calendar of events including opera, ballet, classical concerts, and national performances. The company performs both international masterpieces and traditional Uzbek works. With excellent acoustics and a richly adorned auditorium, each performance is a memorable experience. Whether attending a show or simply admiring the building from the outside, the Alisher Navoiy Theater is a must-see for lovers of art, music, and architecture. It captures the elegance of Tashkent’s past while remaining a vibrant part of its cultural present.

visited the Alisher Navoi Theater to watch the ballet “The Tree” during the festival period. Both the performance and the architecture of the building were truly delightful and impressive. The Alisher Navoi Theater (officially the Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre) is one of the most iconic cultural landmarks in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It was built in the mid-20th century and officially opened in 1947. The theater is named after Alisher Navoi, a prominent 15th-century Uzbek poet and philosopher. Designed by Soviet architect Alexey Shchusev (who also designed Lenin’s Mausoleum), the building is an architectural masterpiece that blends Uzbek traditional elements with Soviet neoclassicism. Local artisans from across Uzbekistan contributed to its detailed interior decorations, making each hall unique and richly adorned. The theater hosts opera, ballet, and classical music performances, and it’s considered a leading venue for performing arts in Central Asia. It’s not only a place for cultural events but also a symbol of Uzbekistan’s national pride and artistic heritage.

It's a small theater so don't worry about getting "bad" seats, it's not possible. There didn't seem to be a ticket office there. I booked online at iTicket.uz and it went smoothly. I paid 110000 som for kind of middle seats, which were great. I saw an opera and the male talent was of varying quality. The lead soprano was fabulous. Support Uzbek performing arts if you have the time. It was a couple of hours very well spent.

Enjoyed a gala concert here, what a great performance by all the musicians! The venue is in good condition, nice sound, clean environment. There are several shows going on each week, you can find the details and price on their web and IG. I would recommend any art lover to check this place out. I bought the tickets in advance at the box office, the lady working there spoke little English but we communicated with translation apps.

I came here for opera. They were showing Tamerlano by Handel. Amazing production, top quality performance, scenography, direction, costumes, singers, and orchestra. Too bad that such a masterpiece was not showing for a longer period of time, and that it was not for touring to the best venues in the world. The external architecture is nice classic Soviet style, while the surrounding areas are beautiful. Conveniently located across a square from the Lotte City Hotel. The interior is classic and pleasant, even though is not as large as most opera houses, plus the stage is massive and seems well equipped.

Fabulous theatre. Super cheap tickets to opera and ballet. We got tickets on the day of the performance for $20 AUD per person.

A magnificent majestic building. you can spend several hours there looking at the details. it's a pity I never saw the fountain turned on. in the summer evenings there are concerts on the street

I thoroughly enjoyed the Swan Lake show, and the theater's classic and charming atmosphere added to the experience.✨✨