Opening and The First Performances
On 12 April 1851 the theatre was opened with a grand banquet, which was attended by the high circles of the society of Tbilisi. Several months later in the popular Parisian newspaper, ‘Illustrations’ (issue of 25 October 1851), there was printed a large article by Edmond de Bares with two pictures of the interior of the theatre. The author wrote: ‘This is the only theatre in the city, the interior of which is totally Moorish in style, and is doubtless one of the most elegant, beautiful and fascinating theatrical constructions, conceived by man’. In spring of 1851 an Italian opera group was invited to Tbilisi under the conductorship of Barbieri, who performed twelve opera performances during three months. As a consequence the orchestra was enriched with new instruments and musical scores. Foreign orchestra performers came to Tbilisi and some settled there. On 9 November 1851 the first theatrical season was opened in Tbilisi with ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ by Gaetano Donizetti. After the spectacle, which had a great success, the hosts lead Barbieri and the company to the left bank of Kura River for a public feast, where people celebrated on boats for the whole night.
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