Last week, a capsule was sealed into the floor of the historic building’s foyer, intended to provide future generations with insight into the extensive reconstruction taking place this season and the people behind it.
The placement of the capsule marks an მნიშვნელოვანი milestone in the construction process: an ornamented floor covering, designed to match the building’s historical interior, is currently being installed in the opera’s foyer, highlighting the venue’s unique architectural character. While energy-efficiency improvements continue throughout the opera house with funding from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, the restoration of the foyer floor is being carried out with significant support from private donors, coordinated by the Latvian National Opera Guild and the Latvian National Opera Foundation.
The design of the foyer floor—unique to the Latvian National Opera—was created by architect Liesma Markova. The decorative tiles were manufactured in the United Kingdom and have already been delivered. The reconstruction work is being carried out by SIA Pillar Contractor.
Chairman of the Board of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, Sandis Voldiņš, noted:
“The previous foyer floor—a concrete surface laid in 1958—had not only reached the end of its lifespan but also no longer matched the building’s historical aesthetics. We are pleased that, thanks to the support and donations of all those involved—especially members of the Opera Guild and Foundation—we are finally able to complete a project that had remained unrealized for decades.
Inside the capsule, we placed a list of all employees from this very unusual opera season—people who continued to perform and ensure full-house shows while adapting to ongoing renovation works. Symbolically marking the end of this transformative season, the capsule also contains two invitations to the Gala Concert on June 20.”
The Opera Guild contributed a card with information about the organization and its 35 years of activity, along with details of donations and the names of its current board members. The Opera Foundation included a list of this season’s members, as well as a separate list of individuals who specifically donated to the foyer floor restoration.
Chairman of the Board of SIA Pillar Contractor, Jānis Lāčaunieks, placed in the capsule a colored drawing of the tile layout, which reflects how the flooring will be installed, along with a measuring tape so that future discoverers can verify the precision of the work. The measuring tape has been signed by representatives of the contractor, the opera, the foundation, and the guild.
The tile manufacturers will be invited to include this design in their catalogue under the name “Latvian Opera.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to see the restored historic flooring in person as early as June, when the opera house reopens at the start of the Riga Opera Festival.
