National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Tirana
The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet is the largest theatre in Albania and is dedicated to dance and music. The project included a renovation of the façade and entrance hall of the 1953 building and a thorough transformation of its 800-seat auditorium and rehearsal facilities to accommodate its 250 artists split between the National Symphony Orchestra, the choir, the ballet troupe, the soloists' lyric troupe and its popular ensemble. Each season hosts about 150 performances ranging from concerts, opera, chamber music or symphony to ballet remaining faithful to Italian, French, German and American repertoires but also enhancing contemporary creations.
Information Sheet
Renovation/Transformation National Theatre of Opera and Ballet (Teatri Kombëtar i Operas dhe Baletit, TKOB) tkob.gov.al
Location Tirana, Albania.
Project Cost 7 million €.
Time Frame Competition: 2015. Design 2016-2017. Construction 2018-2020. Opening: June 2020.
Owner Ministry of Culture of Albania.
Architect(s) Atelier 4 Sh.p.k, Tirana, Albania atelier4.al
Theatre Planner(s) Ingenium (former TTAS), Ghent, Belgium www.ingenium.be
Seat Count 800-seat auditorium, orchestra rehearsal room for the National Symphonic Orchestra, choir rehearsal room, lyrics rehearsal rooms, ballet rehearsal rooms and ensemble rehearsal rooms.
Uses Rich repertoire of Albanian, Balkan and international musical and choreographic works be they classical or contemporary for the 50 musicians of the National Symphonic Orchestra, the 40 dancers of the ballet troupe, the 14-soloists lyric troupe and the 40 artists composing the popular ensemble.
Services Acoustic consulting mission for the main rooms for preliminary design and detailed design along with the assessment of the finishes in the auditorium mainly for wall panels, seats, acoustic curtains and ceiling reflectors.
Team Thomas Wulfrank, Juan Oscar Garcia, Kahle Acoustics.
The new 800-seat auditorium of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet as seen from the back of the stage. Photo © Besart Cani
The new 800-seat auditorium as seen from the second balcony. Photo © Besart Cani
The new 800-seat auditorium with its acoustic curtains, optimised wooden ceiling reflectors and its curved balcony fronts. Photo © Besart Cani
Orchestra rehearsal room of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Curved wooden wall panels combining different inclination angles optimise the acoustic balance between musicians and homogenise the distribution of sound. Photo © Besart Cani
Choir and Soloists' rehearsal room. Different types of acoustic panels are distributed on the walls and ceiling, providing the right amount of acoustic absorption and diffusion. Photo © Besart Cani
Ballet Rehearsal room of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Photo © Besart Cani
Renovated façade of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Photo © Besart Cani