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Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater
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Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater

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Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater
4.5
28 reviews
#1 of 19 Theater & Concerts in Baku
Ballets • Concerts • Operas • Theaters • Theatre & Performances
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  • Sahil • 5 min walk
  • Cəfər Cabbarlı • 8 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
7
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
HINA W
Islamabad, Pakistan6,322 contributions
Legends!
Aug 2017 • Family
Baku could easily be termed the city of theaters. The gem in the crown is the Akundov State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. This theater was initially named Mailov Theater when it was built in in 1911. It was built in the Art Nouveau style.There are many interesting stories associated with this building. The first one is about the reason the theater was built. Magnate Mailov was very fond of Opera, but when he was not invited to the house warming a famous opera star's opulent house he decided to build a building that would outshine that house. He also announced that the theater would be built within ten months. Here comes the second story. The oil baron Zeynalabdin Taghiyev showed his doubts that such a huge project could be completed in ten months. So Mailov laid a bet that if he could not complete the theater in ten months he would gift the building to Taghiyev but if he completed the project in the stipulated time than Taghiyev would pay for the it. Taghiyev lost the bet and paid 250,000 rubles. I was unable to see any performances in this beautiful building as it was closed in August but I simply loved it's intricate facade and history.
Written August 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siamak007
Tehran Province, Iran26 contributions
watch ballet
Apr 2018 • Family
watched 2 ballets here. it's a historic building with great architecture inside. the show was enjoyable. had a great family experience. the tricky part is the ticket both which is located next to main hall by the nizami st. although the ticket booth of the cinama opposite the opera hall sells the tickets as well.
Written April 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles E
Newington, Connecticut12 contributions
Wonderful Ballet Performance
Feb 2017
We attended the ballet for the second time last night. Last year, when we were here, we actually thought we were going to an opera (it's the same building). We saw 2 one-act ballets, both were excellent. I don't remember the first, but the second was a contemporary piece called "Shadows of Gobustan", which is based on the petroglyphs in Qobustan (also worth the trip - about an hour outside of Baku by taxi). Last night we saw "Sheherezade" and "Bolero" The choreography for "Bolero" was incredible. The choreographer matched the dance to the music perfectly.
The theater itself is not large, and the audience last night was small, but it was a Wednesday night. The theater is old and would be very beautiful if it were renovated and thoroughly cleaned.
We bought our tickets (16 Manat or about $9.00 per ticket - very reasonable) at the box office the day before.
A word of warning: Not all taxi drivers know where the opera and ballet theater is. The driver who took us to buy the tickets drove around for almost an hour before he finally found it (asked directions several times). When we went to the performance, the driver actually did know where it was, but just to be safe, I drew a map from our hotel to the theater (copied from google maps, since we don't have a printer with us) and took it with us. The street the theater is on is for pedestrians only. When the taxi drops you off it is a very short walk to the theater. When getting a taxi back after the performance, go to the street opposite from where you were dropped off, since the streets on both ends are one way in opposite directions. The street to your left as you exit the theater has taxis lined up after the performance. I'm not sure if the other one (where we were dropped off does or not, as there seems not to be a taxi waiting area there).
Written February 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaushikdiku
Dubai, United Arab Emirates210 contributions
Need Make over
Nov 2018 • Family
Baku city is spotless cleaned, but this historical building has disappointed the carpet need to change side wall of theatre need maintenance and overall cleaning along with washroom. Authority should do to bring its glory back and match with Baku sparkling streets / parks and other attractions.
Written November 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erkinbek K
88 contributions
Magic Azerbaijani Classical Music as a New Reading of "One thousand and One Nights."
Oct 2019
Miracle performance and magic music by Fikrat Amirov in a new reading of famous "One Thousand and One Nights" eastern folk tale. Great band and skillful conductor made the new reading as a dream trip to Ancient Orient Country!
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KatS
Dubai, United Arab Emirates41 contributions
A Disappointment
Jan 2019
Really lovely theatre in a beautiful historic building, but not run or looked after properly.
Notwithstanding the grand title, it felt almost like some amateur venue:
- people were allowed to come in late after the start (even 15-20min late!)
- the use of phones and flash photography is allowed with no reservations whatsoever, so not only almost everyone was filming and flashing during the performance, some were even answering calls!
I consider it a disrespect for the artists and those who are serious about the theatre and it comes first of all from the administration.
All of this is so completely unbelievable to me, that I didn’t even notice the general state of disrepair of the building (which is very beautiful and precious), and the absence of a proper theatre buffet. Very bad indeed - they set a very low plank! I am very sorry
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shahin E
Tehran, Iran14 contributions
Heart of Azarbayjan art
Mar 2018 • Family
Old building with greate saloons. I saw ballet performance there . That made me suprised from quality of theatre. But building need repairment . Outside view is not good.
Written March 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mehmet I
Qaraçuxur, Azerbaijan253 contributions
Aida opera libretto
May 2016 • Family
Realy nice history must you can see it thid opera 2 and half hours all section you need to been there same time saloon its full
Written May 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gamar Alizade
Baku, Azerbaijan157 contributions
Lovely place
Nov 2019 • Friends
If you are visiting out of town, I recommend checking out some beautiful Azerbaijani ballets like “1001 nights” by Fikret Amirov or “7 beauties” by Gara Garayev.
Written November 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
walid m
Wilmington, NC1,095 contributions
Needs work
Apr 2019 • Family
This is a nice building but it is not taken care of properly. It needs some renovation. The ticket prices are good. The views from the balconies are hindered.
Written April 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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