Latvian Opera Tour

The origins of opera traditions in Latvia may be traced back to the eighteenth century when the first musical productions were staged in the Duchy of Courland and the first traveling opera troupes appeared in Riga. The city’s German Theater, which offered dramatic theater, opera, and ballet productions, was opened in 1782.

The official history of Latvian opera began in 1912 when the Latviešu Opera was established in Riga by Pāvuls Jurjāns. During the First World War, the singers evacuated to Russia. But in 1918, the company returned to Riga as the Latvju Opera, under the direction of Professor Jāzeps Vītols, the founder and long-time rector of the Latvian Academy of Music.

On January 23, 1919, the Latvian National Opera staged its debut performance: Richard Wagner’s opera The Flying Dutchman. The LNO Opera Company today is a repertoire theatre that performs opera and ballet in a season that runs from September to the end of May. In the course of a season, the LNO will perform approx 200 performances. In a year, generally, six new productions will be made, shared across both opera and ballets.

Day 1: RIGA

Arrival at Riga airport. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.

In the evening optional: opera performance in Latvian National Opera.

OVERNIGHT: Riga

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Day 2: RIGA

After breakfast. during the walking tour, you will enjoy the beauty of the ancient Hanseatic City: picturesque streets of the Old Town, the Dome Cathedral, the Church of St.Peter, the old Guild Houses, the Swedish Gate, St.Jacob’s Church, the Parliament House, Old Riga Castle. Coffee/tea with cake in the old town restaurant.

Optional backstage tour at the Latvian National Opera House. The Latvian National Opera House is home to both the Latvian National Opera and the Latvian National Ballet. In the course of a season that runs from September to June, the LNO performs more than 200 performances, staging on average six new productions every season of both opera and ballet. The LNO occupies a stately neo-classical style building in Riga, originally constructed as the Riga German Theatre in 1863.

The tour guide will lead you through the interior of the building and talk about the life and times of the opera. You can enjoy against extra payment a glass of champagne after your tour at the theater café.

In the evening optional opera performance at Latvian National Opera.

OVERNIGHT: Riga

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Day 3: RIGA

Breakfast. Transfer to Riga airport. End of the tour.

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