Latvian National Opera House

The history surrounding the National Opera is more than 250 years long. During the period of time from 1837 to 1839 Richard Wagner was the chapel-master of Riga, and was involved in opera life. The current theatre, affectionately known as “The White House” was built as a national theatre in 1863, on the site of an old German theatre. After a fire in 1882, the theatre was rebuilt to its current state. The theatre become the National Opera House in 1919, and the National Theatre moved elsewhere.

Tours are available in English and provide an interesting mix of history and on a performance night, glimpses of actors preparing backstage.