Riga Opera & Ballet holidays

Opera breaks and ballet holidays to Latvia

“We look forward to delivering the most stunning opera holiday one can experience in Europe. I look forward to speaking with you” Daniel Oxley, (Operas abroad specialist)

A standard opera weekend package includes:

• Return flights (Vamos Travel is ATOL bonded)
• Three night’s accommodation, b & b
• Travel notes
• Meeted Airport to Hotel transfer
• Opera, ballet or concert tickets

Browse on-line or request a brochure, to study our holiday packages. We offer a wide selection of 3 star, 4 star, 5 star and boutique hotels at very competitive prices. We are always pleased to arrange holidays to meet individual requirements, extra nights and special needs. *Please note: Opera, ballet and concert tickets are not quoted in the city break package prices. Just add to your enquiry form, the performance you would like to see. If you are not familiar with a particular theatre’s repertoire, then please contact our expert team, who will make some impartial suggestions.

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Call now the opera specialists: 0870 762 4017 Vamos Travel

Latvia established itself as an opera hub in the 1800s and during its first period of independence, from 1920-40. In the Soviet Union, the Latvia opera was considered the third best after the Bolshoi and Kirov. Latvia's operatic tradition also includes Richard Wagner, who lived in Riga from 1837-38 and composed his first opera, Rienzi, while working in the city as a conductor. Interestingly, Wagner's The Flying Dutchman was inspired by a stormy ship journey from Riga as he fled creditors here. Opera’s in Riga are today ranked among Europe’s finest and are a must-see during your luxury Baltic holiday experience. Not only has Riga got an excellent Opera, but its ballet is one of the best in the world. The large Baltic capital is the birthplace of world’s number one ballet star, Mikhail Baryshnikov and thanks to its elite ballet and music schools, a large number of ballet stars come from Latvia.

The National Opera in Riga that houses both the Riga Ballet and the Riga Opera was one of the first major buildings that were completely renovated when Riga and Latvia reclaimed its independence in 1991. This was very important to the Latvian people, who hold the National Opera house as the home of Riga’s cultural scene. The house itself is once again, one of Europe’s finest, pleasingly ornate and invitingly cozy, perfect for a luxury evening break at the opera or ballet. The National Opera house has an allure, which operatic and ballet enthusiasts can’t resist. The exterior is reminiscent of Moscow’s Bolshoi theatre and the interior design continues in the same imperial & extravagant way. Not only do Vamos Travel organise the best city break deals to Riga, but we can also arrange Riga best category tickets to coincide with your luxury holiday.

Since its founding in 1918, the Latvian National Opera has been a national treasure to its country and maintains the cultural heart of Riga. Opera traditions in Latvia date back to the 18th century, consistently performing a wide repertoire that includes works by; Tchaikovsky, Verdi and Mozart. Great Masters of the operatic art have molded the Latvian National Opera’s history, raising the standards but preserving the tradition. Today, the Latvian National Opera’s reputation extends across the world, for being one of the best operatic companies in the world. We have a dedicated department that specialises in musical city breaks. Speak to our opera specialist today, to arrange the most memorable short Riga city break holiday and experience the imperial Riga Opera and ballet.

The annual Riga Opera Festival in June has now become a permanent feature to Latvia’s cultural diary and is a major pulling attraction for Opera city break lovers. During this magnificent week, opera enthusiasts can see the most spectacular opera productions and see their favourite Latvian stars. This opera festival was the first of its kind not only in the Baltics, but also in Eastern Europe and has already championed the hearts of their listeners. We are a highly dedicated opera specialist company that creates tailor made city breaks for any kind of traveling life style. We look forward to booking your operatic tickets.

Ballet is one of the most beautiful scenic arts and has been performed in Latvia by the Latvian National Opera’s Ballet Company, since 1919. The first Latvian ballet was performed in 1922 and since this historical date, the theatre and its ballet companies has gone from strength to strength, demonstrating their technically brilliance in both classical and contemporary dance choreography. Ballet stars like Michael Barishnikov, Aleksandr Godunov and Maris Liepa helped take the Latvian ballet to the international stage but it was the Latvian National Opera’s ballet company founders that set the foundations for this world recognition. The original director and founder of the first ballet troupe was Nikolai Sergeyev, who was famous for his teaching & art direction at the Mariinsky Theatre. Speak to the ballet weekend breaks specialists today.

Riga is recognized in Europe as a city rich in ballet traditions, having produced such famous dancers as Maris Liepa, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Aleksander Godunov, Vladimir Gelvan and others. In keeping with these traditions the International Baltic Ballet Festival in Riga each year brings together ballet stars from Baltic Sea states and neighbouring countries. The main objective of the Festival is to popularize the ballet by bringing together classic and modern ballet ensembles, dancers and choreographers from all of the Baltic Sea states. The motto of the Festival is ‘From Classical to Avant-garde’. The IBBF programme is conceived according to this principle and includes the latest and most interesting new choreographies from the countries participating in the Festival. Don’t miss the opportunity, to experience this wonderful dance festival that runs from late April to early May. The Riga Ballet Festival is reason enough to visit and to experience one of the best European breaks in the world. Contact Vamos Travel today, about ticket reservations and making a bespoke short break holiday for you.

The traditional home of symphonic music in Latvia is the Greater Guild Concert Hall, the place where in the middle ages the rich merchants gathered to discuss Riga’s economic and cultural life. Today, in this historical Baltic hall, city break lovers can hear the wonderful voices of many grand orchestras’, including the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, which dates back to 1926. Whilst in Riga, classical music enthusiasts should try and hear the Riga Festival Orchestra, that are famously characterized for their more daring approaches to traditional compositions. Riga is home to a variety of chamber music ensembles, like the Riga String Quartet and certainly has no shortage of suitable venues for chamber music concerts. The most outstanding are Wagner Hall, Chamber Hall and the reconstructed Blackhead’s Hall. Also Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Music is becoming an integral part of the musical life in Latvia. Renaissance and baroque dances have attracted increasing attention, and so have authentic ancient instruments and the traditions associated with their use. This early music is best heard in surroundings that still retain an air of antiquity, like in medieval castles, old squares and palace parks. There is no shortage of such venues in Latvia, but we recommend to our city break clients to go to Rundale Palace, for a splendid evening of ancient music. Make an enquiry to our friendly staff about designing a suitable city break package that includes concert tickets.

The Latvian National Theatre was founded in 1919 by playwright A.Upitis and still is one of the biggest and most beautiful theatres in the Baltic States. Built by the architect A. Reinberg, the building in itself is a masterpiece. However, the title of the oldest drama theatre belongs elsewhere to the Russian drama theatre. The Riga Russian Drama theatre is the oldest professional theatre of Latvia and the oldest Russian Drama theatre outside of Russian Federation. The Drama theatre continues to preserve its traditions and push the envelope of creative freedom and has been internationally successful with its shows and collaborations, mostly notably with the Edinburgh Theatre Festival.