L’viv Opera House
L’viv Opera House built by Zygmunt Gorgolewski in L’viv on built atop a marshy area through which the Poltva River flowed. It was the first time in Europe that solid concrete slabs were used in laying a foundation. L’viv Opera and Ballet Theatre - was constructed in 1897-1900 in the Viennese neo-Renaissance style.
An extensive and varied programme of opera and ballet is regularly performed here throughout the year, and particularly during the summer months.
Ticket prices are very modest by Western standards although many stars of Ukrainian, Russian and world opera have performed here, such as Enrico Caruso, Mattia Battistini, Solomeya Krushel’nits’ka, Alexander Mishuga and others.
The first performance in Eastern Europe of Wagner’s complete “Ring” was in Lviv.
In 1895 a competition was announced for the best design of a big municipal theater.
The first prize was awarded to a local architect named Zygmunt Gorgolewski (1845-1903), who at that time was the head-master of the Lviv Higher Technical School, who put forth some ingenious and daring solutions to the groundwork problems.
Gorgolewski proposed that the Theater be constructed atop a marshy area through which the Poltava River flowed.
The choice of this site was surprising, but the architect successfully diverted the course of the river by constructing special containers to guide the overflow.
On June 5, 1896, the groundbreaking was initiated. It was the first time in Europe that solid concrete slabs were used in laying a foundation.
Tags: Opera House, Poltva River, Viennese neo-Renaissance style, XIX, XX, Zygmunt Gorgolewski