History

The Slovak National Theatre, one of the country’s most important cultural institutions, was established in 1920. Today it comprises drama, opera and ballet sections, each with its permanent professional company, with a central scene shop providing sets for all productions. 

Plays in Slovak had been performed as early as 1831 and had played an important role in the process of national revival. However, there were no professional Slovak actors in the early years of the dramatics group of the SND.

Opera has been performed for more than three centuries on the territory of present-day Slovakia. This is true especially for Bratislava.

The beginnings of the Slovak ballet go back to the historic day of the first ballet premiere of Coppélia by C. Ph. L. Delibes on May 19, 1920. The choreography was by Vaclav Kalina, the first artistic director of the SND Ballet. In the season 1922 - 1923 this position was taken over by Czech dancer Marta Aubrechtová.