The Bolshoi Theater named after Alisher Navoi is a legendary architectural and cultural memorial of Tashkent
The history of the theater originates in 1929, when the famous singer and head of the national ensemble Mukhitdin Kari-Yakubov assembled a theatrical company consisting of the best artists of that time. Already in the 1930-ies I.V. Stalin’s t resolution was published on the establishment the eastern center of theatrical art and ballet in Tashkent, for which it was intended to build a luxurious architectural building. The best project was chosen in the course of a long competitive selection, in which Shusev Aleksey Viktorovich - the famous architect - won.
However, the construction of the theater was not carried out according to the first plan, where Aleksei Viktorovich planned 2400 seats in the main hall but according to the second - more compact - for 1500 seats. At the same time, it was possible to create comfortable stage zones for artists: the main stage, back stage, stage pockets, rooms for actors. It should be noted that the acoustics in the hall are magical - the audience can hear the artists who perform without microphones. The theater itself was located on the square, in the very middle of which stands a magnificent fountain in the form of an open bud of a cotton box.
Symbol of the unification of peoples and their cultures
In 1948, the national troupe of the Theater named after A. Navoi teamed up with the Russian opera house named after Sverdlov. This was a landmark event in the life of the Bolshoi Theater. Later, many talented directors and artists from other parts of the world came here. As expected, in addition to realizing their creative plans on the stage of Uzbekistan, they always stopped to admire the decorations of the theater halls, which serve as the eternal inspiration of the artists themselves.
Decoration of the inner halls of the Alisher Navoi Theater is a treasure that demonstrates all the accumulated knowledge and skills of Uzbek architects. The most talented and experienced ganch masters were involved in the project. They chose one representative from six regions of the republic, which clearly reflect the various styles of applied art: Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Termez, Fergana, Tashkent. The magic work of hereditary craftsmen can be seen today. Everything is done in quiet noble tones. Everywhere - from the ceiling to the floor – there are carved ornaments, bas-reliefs, modeling, painted with gold. Carved intriguing patterns are made on wood, glass, marble.
Beauty of the Theater named after A. Navoi captivates both inside and outside. The architect managed to depict the classic consistent rectangular facade of the building with columns on the one hand. And on the other hand - harmoniously and gracefully apply such oriental elements as the arched colonnade on the side of the building. The main entrance is solemnly meet by three the highest arches elongated in form which prop up the double columns and pylons in the corners.
Theater named after. A. Navoi built for the ages
Importantly, in the design of this architectural masterpiece, a large role was played by Japanese war prisoners. They were engaged in laying the building, and also took an active part in decorating: Japanese ornaments and coils were made by casting. About 400 Japanese worked on the appearance of the Theater. Eye witnesses say that they were very hardworking and honest builders. They also offered new techniques in the construction, also, thanks to that the theater survived the devastating earthquake of 1966.
The Big Theater named after Alisher Navoi is a masterpiece of architecture and art of whole Central Asia. It harmoniously blended and complemented each other as the works of artists and architecture, as well as the art figures of the theater, opera and ballet, which are deeply imbued with the culture of other nations and now broadcast it to us from the stage.
