In the CityIn the CityPhoto: Шалкер Гам, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Outside, Astana Opera features columns, a dome, and marble in the spirit of grand European opera houses of the 19th century—a deliberate choice: unlike the futuristic Baiterek or the "Pyramid," the theater was designed to be timeless. Inside, gilded interiors and a main hall with nearly 1,250 seats host classical operas and ballets, with performances regularly featuring guest soloists from around the world.
Construction of the theater began in 2010 on the initiative of Nursultan Nazarbayev, and the first theater season opened on June 21, 2013. A team of specialists from more than 30 countries—Kazakhstan, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, and others—worked on the architecture and interiors. In addition to the main hall, the theater has a chamber hall with 250 seats. Astana Opera is considered the largest opera and ballet theater in Central Asia.