摘要:The article is devoted to the study of certain aspects of the history of the Russian national opera in the context of the historical and cultural features of the XIX century. The authors, understanding the complexity of performing the task within the framework of one study, limited by the scope of a scientific article, to reflect the most significant features of this problem, focused on its historical component: the role of theatres in the public life of Russia, interference of the imperial family in the theatrical sphere, activities of Catterino Cavos in the Russian theatre, the historical significance of opera art by A.N. Verstovsky, M.I. Glinka, A.S. Dargomyzhsky, “The Mighty Bunch” and P.I. Tchaikovsky, propaganda of Russian opera art on the stage of the Private Opera and personality of S.I. Mamontov. The article reflects the main theatrical reforms of the period under review, carried out by Alexander I, Nicholas I and Alexander III, which were aimed at including the Russian Empire in the pan-European theatre process and raising the prestige of the Russian theatre. Facts about the birth of the Russian national opera based on the synthesis of folk melodies and European musical experience are given. An attempt is made to clarify the issue of the disparaging attitude of the public and the theatre management to the Russian opera based on the materials of the Russian musical newspaper. The authors come to the conclusion about the influence of Russian opera classics of the XIX century on the subsequent development of this genre, its enduring significance and relevance in the modern theatre.