The Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre is the first theatre in Odessa and Novorossiya in terms of construction time, importance and fame. The first building was opened in 1810 and burned down in 1873. The modern building was built in 1887 by architects Felner and Helmer in the Viennese Baroque style.
The architecture of the auditorium is in the late French Rococo style. It is sumptuously decorated with various stucco ornaments with fine gilding. The ceiling plafond is decorated with four medallion paintings by the artist Lefler. They depict scenes from Shakespeare's works: Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Winter's Tale and As You Like It. In the centre of the ceiling is a large crystal chandelier. The unique acoustics of the horseshoe-shaped auditorium allows even whispers from the stage to be carried to any corner of the auditorium.
The complete restoration of the theatre building was completed in 2007.
