Eighty-two years ago, Albania witnessed the staging of its first lyrical opera, Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata.”

In July 1942, the Carro di Tespi Lirico troupe arrived in Tirana and performed several shows, including “La Traviata.” This historic event is documented in a photograph preserved by the State Archive.

The stage was set at the top of Viale del Impero, now known as Martyr’s of the Nation Boulevard, near Mother Teresa Square.

The photograph clearly shows the building that today houses the Rectorate of the Tirana State University and the Academy of Albanological Studies, which was still under construction at that time. The image also captures the landscape of Tirana at the time, dominated by Mount Dajti. In the upper right background, the mausoleum of the Queen Mother, built by King Zog I, is visible. This photograph is part of the Central State Archive’s Phototheque.

In 1929, the fascist government of Rome created four traveling theatrical troupes called “Carri di Tespi” (“Carts of Thespis”). One of these troupes, named “Carro di Tespi Lirico,” was dedicated to opera and lyrical singing, while the other three focused on theatrical plays. The goal of these troupes was to bring theater and lyrical opera to the most isolated segments of society.

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