The central avenue — Prospekt Svobody is decorated with the majestic building of the Bolshoi Theater, which was the name of the Lviv Opera House at the time of its opening. Built by the talented architect Gorgolevsky in 1895-1900, it is rightfully considered one of the best theaters in Europe and the best attraction of Lviv The architect boldly proposed to «hide under the ground» Poltva River, which flows in this place, and instead of the foundation to use solid concrete vaults.
Lviv Opera House is built in classical traditions using elements of Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. The building is saturated with sculptural and pictorial decoration. The front is decorated with three winged sculptures by P. Voytovich: in the center — Glory with a palm branch, on the left — the Genius of Drama and Comedy, on the right — the Genius of Music.
The figure of Slava has an interesting story. The famous Lviv gynecologist Antoni Mars bet with a friend that the sculpture has a tummy, characteristic of women in the fourth month of pregnancy. Having sought out a model who posed for the sculptor, he won the bet.
Lyric-dramatic opera «Janek» by V. Zhelensky opened the theater on October 4, 1900.
In 1934 because of the financial crisis it was decided to close the theater. And only in 1939, when Western Ukraine became part of the USSR, the theater reopened and was named Lviv State Theater. In 1956 it was named after Ivan Franko, and in 1966 it was given the title of academic theater. — The title of academic theater.
At the end of the last century Lviv Opera House was restored, and in 2000, by the centenary of the famous Ukrainian singer, was named after Solomiya Krushelnitska.
The modern theater has more than 40 soloists, a chorus, a ballet company and a symphony orchestra.