Astrakhan state theatre of Opera and Ballet
In 1995 in Astrakhan was founded the state musical theatre.
In 2011 the Astrakhan state theatre of Opera and Ballet became his legal successor.
In 2010 Valery Voronin was invited on the post of the chief conductor and artistic director of the Astrakhan musical theatre. This event was a turning point in life of the theatre.
Voronin began the active reorganization of creative team and artistic direction. New bold ideas and high requirements were introduced in work of theatre by the chief stage director Konstantin Balakin and the chief artist Elena Vershinina. In the theatre was created the professional troupe of the classical ballet; Konstantin Uralsky (since 2016 - the Honored artist of the Russian Federation) became the artistic director of the ballet. The chief choirmaster of the theatre remains an honored artist of the Russian Federation Galina Duncheva, who has worked in musical theatre too.
To the 450 anniversary of Astrakhan, the new building was built for the theatre by order and under the control of the President of the Russian Federation V. Putin. The government of the Astrakhan region created conditions for the invitation of highly professional experts - vocalists, ballet dancers, orchestral players, heads of theatrical workshops - from St. Petersburg, Moscow, the largest cities of Russia and the neighboring countries. Also there were created own art and production workshops capable to carry out the most complex production challenges.
The purpose of the project which required a great deal of preparatory work was the creation in the South of Russia, in the Caspian region, the Outpost of Russian culture.
On July 15, 2011 the theatre has received a new status: the Astrakhan state theatre of Opera and Ballet.
In 2012 the theatre accepted the first audience in the new theatrical building. The first premiere of Opera was "Queen of spades", the first ballet – "The Swan lake".
Also in 2012 the theatre realized the first in the history of Astrakhan open air project: in the historical architectural "decorations" of the Astrakhan Kremlin was provided the people musical drama of M. Mussorgsky "Boris Godunov".
Since 2013 Valery Voronin is also the director of the theatre, remaining of the post of artistic director.
When the repertoire is being formed the theatre undertakes the most difficult works of the world classics, considering the main task of the uncompromising striving for the maximum creative level of anything is created in the walls of the theatre. From the first performances the theatre had demonstrated desire to develop their own artistic style, which is characterized by the combination of a bright peculiar concept, an original scenographic solutions and careful attitude to the classics. A lack of provincialism, the metropolitan level of performances became a norm of work of the theatre.
The theatre is a winner of the first national opera award "Onegin" in the nomination "Theatre"; the winner of the all-Russian professional award "Sides of Theatre of Masses" in the nomination "The best open air theatre".
Four opera performances of theatre are nominated for the National theatrical award "Golden Mask".
Tour
Since 2013 the touring of ballet troupe (with symphonic orchestra) in England and Germany became regular.
A short tour by the Opera collective (with concert programs and performances) are held in Stavropol, Yessentuki, Vladikavkaz, Makhachkala, Elista (Kalmykia), Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.