Latvian National Opera

The Latvian National Opera House is one of Riga’s most elegant and iconic buildings. Its architecture is absolutely stunning — classic, grand, and perfectly situated right next to Bastejkalna Park and the canal. Every time I walk by, I’m amazed by how picturesque and well-preserved it is, especially when lit up in the evening. Sadly, I’ve never had the chance to see a performance or step inside, but it’s definitely on my list. If the interior is anything like the outside, I’m sure it’s breathtaking. Even just admiring it from the park nearby makes it worth a visit. A must-see for architecture lovers and anyone exploring central Riga!

Beautifully restored building. Very good acoustics. Small enough so that all seats are good. Both Opera and Ballet; and occasionally Orchestral concerts or musical performances.

Went to see Don Giovanni and overall, the experience was as expected. The performance itself was solid, and the atmosphere had the classic charm you’d hope for. A definite plus were the affordable ticket prices – great to see opera made more accessible. On the downside, the seating was quite cramped. The chairs were too close together, which made it a bit uncomfortable, especially for a longer performance.

Fantastic ballet. One of the bests I have ever seen. If you pay a trip in Riga, definitely worth it to book a visit to the ballet in opera.

A beautiful magical experience. A lovely building but even more beautiful inside. I managed to get a ticket for the ballet Esmeralda. It was so nice. You can book tickets easily on the website or go to the box office. I was lucky as the ballet was sold out but there was a return. I paid 45.00 EUR for a really good seat in row 7 right near the front. So intimate and magical. Started very punctually with an intermission of around fifteen to twenty minutes. People were really dressed up, so do make an effort. You cannot photograph the performance but you can photograph the venue and the curtain call or final bow at the end of the performance. If you do go to watch a performance, go early or give yourself enough time. If you arrive after the performance starts, you will not be allowed in until the intermission.

A beautiful building! A big stage, gold decals and such. The staff was nice and helpful and the prices were not too steep, just what you would expect from a theatre or opera house. I was a bit sad that they only offered cake and little canapés as food. I watched the Premiere of the Opera in the picture and it was just done beautifully. Very engaging, I didn’t feel bored at all and I really liked the movable wall. A very good experience there, if I ever come back to Riga I will go there again!

If you overcome the first confusion (during your first visit) everything becomes perfect. Always. Marvellous building with its cosy atmosphere. Friendly staff. Excellent acoustics. Interesting repertoire. We went to see the opera and had no regrets or disappointments. We will revisit soon.

I saw La Traviata at the Latvian National Opera on May 2, 2025: what a memory to behold! Latvian National Opera is located in the center of Riga, on the banks of the Riga Canal and in close proximity to the Freedom Monument. First off, the building of the National Opera is absolutely georgeous, both inside and out. I had orchestra seats that I have purchased two month in advance and even at that point there were only a handful orchestra seats available. I paid 44 euros per seat which is a steal. Secondly, La Traviata at the Latvian National Opera is done traditionally, with period consumes and set design. I am glad I packed a proper evening outfit for my trip to Riga, because you do NEED to dress up to attend this Opera House!