On 11 October 1874, a fire began before a performance of  Vincenzo Bellini's Norma.
Though the fire brigade was across the street, the firefighters did not respond at first and did not bring ladders when they did, leading to outrage and accusations of the fire being intentional.
The theater was completely destroyed, including the rich musical library, costumes, scenery, props and all of Gagarin's paintings.

Plans were made to rebuild the opera house.
The theater decided to continue its season from the "Summer Theater", and returned 27 December with its production of Norma.

The city held a contest for a new architectural design.
Viktor Schröter, an architect of German origin from Saint Petersburg, submitted the winning design.
Construction of the new theater took years to get underway.
There were repeated delays throughout the project, with the design not officially approved by Governor Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich until 1880.
Even after the construction began, it would sometimes come to a complete halt.

The theater finally reopened in 1896.
On 11 October 1874, a fire began before a performance of  Vincenzo Bellini's Norma. Though the fire brigade was across the street, the firefighters did not respond at first and did not bring ladders when they did, leading to outrage and accusations of the fire being intentional. The theater was completely destroyed, including the rich musical library, costumes, scenery, props and all of Gagarin's paintings.
Plans were made to rebuild the opera house. The theater decided to continue its season from the "Summer Theater", and returned 27 December with its production of Norma.
The city held a contest for a new architectural design. Viktor Schröter, an architect of German origin from Saint Petersburg, submitted the winning design. Construction of the new theater took years to get underway. There were repeated delays throughout the project, with the design not officially approved by Governor Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich until 1880. Even after the construction began, it would sometimes come to a complete halt.
The theater finally reopened in 1896.
Georgian National Opera Theater