Donetsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after A. Solovyanenko was established in 1932 in Donetsk on the basis of fit-up theatre of Right-bank Ukraine. Since 15 March 1932 the theatre was transferred to Donetsk theatre group[1] The first season opened on September 1, 1932 with opera Prince Igor composed by Alexander Borodin.[2] On April 12, 1941, the Theatre opened the season in the new theater building by premiere of Mikhail Glinka'sIvan Susanin.[3][4] On August 7, same year, the premiere of the first ballet performance Laurencia by Alexander Crain was held.
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After the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War part of the company was evacuated to Kirghizia, later, in June 1942, the theater moved to Przhevalsk city, where actors held concerts in hospitals and military units.[5] In January 1944 the theater returned to Donetsk and already in September, right after the liberation of the Donets Basin a premiere of Alexander Borodin's Prince Igor took place.
On October 2, 1977, the Theater was awarded with Academic status for significant contribution to the development of Soviet art.
In 1992 the Choreographic School of Vadym Pysarev was established in the Theater. Starting from 1994 the Theater has been hosting the International Festival "World Ballet Stars", Vadim Pisarev is as well the founder and art director.
The theatre building was initially designed for drama theatre, construction works started in 1936. Ludwig Kotovskiy was the leading architect and overall management of construction project was scheduled by Solomon Krol'.
The theater building is made in classic style. On three sides approaches to the theater are organized. The auditorium and the lobby are decorated with stucco details. Initially, the auditorium was designed for 1300 seats, at the present time there are 976.[7] Above the mezzanine and balcony of the auditorium, as well as in some niches of the foyer there are sculptural busts of composers, poets and decorative vases.
The theater is equipped with mechanized stage, the main stage area is 560 m2. It can withstand the load of up to 75 tons.