The Teatr Wielki - National Opera is a National Cultural Institution financed with funds from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage TEATR WIELKI – NATIONAL OPERA. Founded at the initiative of Wojciech Bogusławski, opened on 24 February 1833 by its first director, Karol Kurpiński, and developed to its full magnificence by the creator of Polish national opera, Stanisław Moniuszko, the Teatr Wielki served the Polish Nation with devotion until it was destroyed by the Nazi invaders. Rebuilt and expanded through the efforts of Polish society, it was restored to the Nation’s service on 19 November 1965. The Teatr Wielki – National Opera, as the first opera and ballet theatre in Poland, founded to cultivate and enrich historical cultural traditions through its activity, to promote contemporary Polish music and popularise the most worthy works of world repertoire, enjoys the special care of the state authorities.