Grand Theatre

The Grand Theatre in Warsaw—is a theatre complex, opera company, and home of the Polish National Ballet, located on historic Theatre Square in Warsaw. The Warsaw Grand Theatre is one of the largest theatres in Europe and in the world, with a seating capacity of over 2000. The Theatre was inaugurated on 24 February 1833 with a production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. After the building’s bombing and near-complete destruction in World War II, the theatre was rebuilt and reopened on 19 November 1965. For over 170 years the Grand Theatre (now “the Grand Theatre and Polish National Opera”) has been Poland’s grandest opera and ballet institution. Opera: The Polish National Opera at the Grand Theatre continues its 200-year tradition, producing works by Polish composers from Karol Kurpiński, through Stanisław Moniuszko, to Krzysztof Penderecki. However, classic operas are also well represented: the company’s repertoire includes the best operas by the major figures of opera, past and present. Ballet: Polish National Ballet (formerly Ballet of Teatr Wielki – Opera Narodowa) has worked with major international figures in the world of ballet as well as with many Polish choreographers, such as Leon Woizikovsky, Stanisław Miszczyk, Witold Gruca and Emil Wesołowski. Currently, works under direction of Krzysztof Pastor.