Estonia Theatre is an historic building in Tallinn, Estonia, which houses the Estonian National Opera and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.

Estonia Theatre
Estonia teatrihoone
Estonia Theatre is located in Estonia
Estonia Theatre
Estonia Theatre
Location within Estonia
Construction
Built1913
Renovated1997
Expanded1947
ArchitectArmas Lindgren, Wivi Lönn
Tenants
Estonian National Opera, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra

The original Jugendstil building was designed by Finnish architects Armas Lindgren 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.[citation needed]

The original theatre photographed in the 1920s

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 of the theater between 1954 and 1956, 1958 and 1960, and 1964 to 1966.[1]

Estonia Theatre on a 1950 USSR stamp
The contemporary theatre in 2015 from a similar viewpoint
The theatre featured on the 50 krooni banknote

The building has two large auditoriums in two separate wings. A chamber hall was opened in 2006.[citation needed] Also the Concert Hall is located in the building.[2] In 1997, the hall was thoroughly renovated.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Allkivi, Kais (12 July 2014). "'Kes on korra luike tantsinud, jääb igavesti luigeks.'" [Who has once danced with swans, will forever remain a swan.]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn, Estonia. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Estonia Concert Hall". Eesti Kontserdimajad. Retrieved 5 May 2020.

59°26′05″N 24°45′03″E / 59.43472°N 24.75083°E / 59.43472; 24.75083