Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre

The Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, at 28 Zarafshon Street in the Mirobod District of Tashkent, is the leading opera and ballet house of Uzbekistan. The building opened in 1947 and was designed by the architect Alexey Shchusev, who also designed Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow. Its design blends neoclassical proportions with Central Asian decoration, and the interior is covered in carved ganch plaster, painted ceilings, and panels representing the regions of Uzbekistan. The theatre is named after Alisher Navoi, the fifteenth-century poet who is a national cultural hero.

The theatre stages classical ballet and opera, such as Tchaikovsky and Verdi, alongside works by Uzbek composers and productions with national themes. Visitors who attend a performance see the horseshoe auditorium, tiered balconies, chandeliers and the decorated foyers, each room reflecting a different regional craft style. Productions are of a high standard and ticket prices are low by international standards, commonly 50,000 to 300,000 UZS, which makes an evening performance one of the best-value cultural experiences in Tashkent.

Performances typically begin at 18:00 on weekdays and 17:00 on weekends, and last two to three hours including intervals. The box office is open by day, and tickets can be bought through gabt.uz or iticket.uz, or by phone on +998 71 233 90 81. Popular productions sell out, so booking several days ahead is advisable. Some Sunday matinees are aimed at children, which suits families. Dress is smart casual to formal, and many locals dress up for evenings.

The exterior is best photographed in late afternoon light from the fountain square in front, and the theatre is lit attractively after dark. Crowds are heaviest on weekends and on premiere nights, while weekday performances are calmer. Photography inside the auditorium during performances is not allowed, but visitors can photograph the foyers before the show and during intervals. The theatre is a short walk from Mustaqillik Maydoni and Amir Temur Xiyoboni metro stations.