On the 29th of September 1901, the new Opera House opened. It was celebrated with a performance of cantanta Kiev by Wilhelm Hartweld, followed by a performance of the opera Life for the Tsar by M. Glinka.
Though the building has a lot of history within its walls, perhaps most famous are the events that took place on September the 14th, 1911. On this day a young activist named Dmitry Bogrov assassinated the Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin, an even which shook the nation.
Between 1983 and 1988 reconstruction and restoration of the building was carried out, specifically to enlarge the backstage area. Thanks to this work, the number of dressing rooms doubled and new rehearsal rooms were made available. An additional chorus classroom was also built. During the reconstruction the stage and orchestra pit also increased in size, allowing larger performances and space for additional musicians. This work meant the building increased by 20,000 square metres.
The building is one of the most impressive sights in all of Kiev, and a fascinating example of the rich cultural tapestry which makes up the city.