Kharkiv State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre name N. Lysenko is one of the oldest domestic musical theaters. The beginning of stationary opera seasons, it is considered to be in 1874. In those days, in the performances of the theater is constantly attended by such artists as Chaliapin F., A. Nezhdanova, L. Sobinov, MA Battistini, whose work served as a model for the vocal-dramatic art of a new era.

In October 1925 on the basis of opera theatrical enterprise in Kharkiv was the first in Ukraine, the State Opera.

The current repertoire is about 50 operas and ballets. The basis of today's repertoire are Ukrainian and Russian classics. Artworks Lysenko, Mussorgsky, S.Gulaka-Artemovsky, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Stravinsky coexist on posters with the opera and ballet to music by Verdi, Puccini, Rossini D. , Gounod, Leoncavallo R., A. Adam, F. Amirov C.Saint-Saens. The repertoire for children - music performances on subjects known tales: "Little Red Riding Hood," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," The Nutcracker".