The Perm Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre is an opera and ballet theatre in the city of Perm in Russia. It is one of the oldest theatres in the country, and it has remained a major musical centre during its history, in which many significant art events have taken place. Its ballet troupe is one of the most popular in Russia. The theatre is often named "Tchaikovsky's House", and all stage works of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who was born in the region, are presented in its repertoire: 10 operas and 3 ballets. Festivals of Tchaikovsky's works were notable cultural events of the country. History The theatre was inaugurated on 24 November 1870 with the premiere performance being Mikhail Glinka's A Life for the Tsar. The building was constructed from 1874 to 1879, after which the first performance took place in the winter of 1879/1880. A new epoch in the history of the theatre started in 1896. It received the patronage of the city parliament, which decided to finance the theatre and the opera troupe from the city budget. A board of directors was elected for managing the theatre and inviting the artists. The first season after the end of the Civil War opened on 20 August 1921. During World War II, when the Leningrad State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet evacuated its personnel to the city, its performances were given in the Perm theatre. The artists from Leningrad had worked in Perm for three winters and two summers. In 1956, the Perm theatre was renamed in honor of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and given Academy status in 1969. Awards The artists of the theatre have got the Golden Mask Award for many performances: 1996: Don Pasquale for Best Actor and Best Actress 1998: The Queen of Spades for Best Set Design 2004: Ballet Imperial for Best Ballet 2009: L'Orfeo for Best Set Design and Best Stage Direction 2010: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich for Best Conductor's Work 2012: To See The Music Special Awards of Musical Theatre Jury 2013: Così fan tutte for Best Opera Director 2013: Medeamaterial for Best Opera Actress Opera Many opera premieres in Russia were given in this theatre. The theatre held the first festival in the 20th Century of the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev's work, where it opened with a two-evening version of the opera War and Peace. Ballet There is a