On 12 April 1851, the theater held its grand opening, attended by the high society of Tiflis.
As the theater stage was not yet complete, the theater instead held a masked ball and charity fundraiser for the Saint Nino Women's College.

Several months later the popular Parisian newspaper L'Illustration (issue 25 October 1851)  printed a large article by Edmond de Bares with two pictures of the interior of the theater.
The author wrote, "This is the only theatre in the city, the interior of which is totally Moorish in style, and is doubtless one of the most elegant, beautiful and fascinating theatrical constructions, conceived by man."

In the spring of 1851, the theater director invited an Italian opera troupe, which had been touring the Russian Empire under the conductorship of Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, to perform in Tiflis.
The Italians traveled by carriage from Novocherkassk, but became ill and exhausted as they made their way into the Caucasus Mountains.
By the time they reached Stavropol in southern Russia, they had lost all patience and refused to continue to Tiflis.
Finally they resumed, pausing often to rest as they traveled via the Georgian Military Highway, before arriving in Tiflis on 9 October 1851.

One month later, the first theatrical season officially opened in Tiflis with Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti.
After the spectacle, which had a great success, the hosts led Barbieri and the company to the left bank of the Kura River for a public feast, where people celebrated on boats for the whole night.

The Italians performed 12 different opera performances over the course of three months.
As a consequence the orchestra was enriched with new instruments and musical scores.
Foreign orchestra performers came to Tiflis and some settled there.
On 12 April 1851, the theater held its grand opening, attended by the high society of Tiflis. As the theater stage was not yet complete, the theater instead held a masked ball and charity fundraiser for the Saint Nino Women's College.
Several months later the popular Parisian newspaper L'Illustration (issue 25 October 1851)  printed a large article by Edmond de Bares with two pictures of the interior of the theater. The author wrote, "This is the only theatre in the city, the interior of which is totally Moorish in style, and is doubtless one of the most elegant, beautiful and fascinating theatrical constructions, conceived by man."
In the spring of 1851, the theater director invited an Italian opera troupe, which had been touring the Russian Empire under the conductorship of Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, to perform in Tiflis. The Italians traveled by carriage from Novocherkassk, but became ill and exhausted as they made their way into the Caucasus Mountains. By the time they reached Stavropol in southern Russia, they had lost all patience and refused to continue to Tiflis. Finally they resumed, pausing often to rest as they traveled via the Georgian Military Highway, before arriving in Tiflis on 9 October 1851.
One month later, the first theatrical season officially opened in Tiflis with Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti. After the spectacle, which had a great success, the hosts led Barbieri and the company to the left bank of the Kura River for a public feast, where people celebrated on boats for the whole night.
The Italians performed 12 different opera performances over the course of three months. As a consequence the orchestra was enriched with new instruments and musical scores. Foreign orchestra performers came to Tiflis and some settled there.
Georgian National Opera Theater