Ballet – In the 1950s, Mongolia’s ballet scene was born through a cultural exchange with the Soviet Union, as Mongolian artists traveled to study classical arts and Soviet experts helped establish theaters and conservatories. Mongolia’s first ballet, The Fountain of Bakhchisaray by Boris Asafiev, debuted in 1956, showcasing the early talent of Mongolian dancers. By 1975, world-renowned ballets like Swan Lake and Giselle were part of the repertoire, bringing international classics to Mongolian audiences.
Today, Mongolia’s ballet repertoire includes Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, Shostakovich’s The Limpid Stream, and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, along with beloved Mongolian ballets such as S. Gonchigsumlaa’s Khoshuu Naadam and Z. Khangal’s Treasure Girls. The fusion of global and national works highlights the skill and versatility of Mongolian ballet artists.
Opera – Mongolian opera also blossomed with Soviet guidance. While early forms of Mongolian opera, like Saran Khukhuu, were unique to the culture, the modern era began after the People’s Revolution of 1921. Soviet specialists arrived in the 1930s to help develop Mongolian opera, and by 1934, Mongolia’s first modern opera, “The Three Sad Hills” by D. Natsagdorj, premiered as a national tragedy. Since 1963, Mongolian opera singers have performed the world’s most beloved operas on stage.
Today, the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet features over 100 national and international works, including Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, Aida, Carmen, and Prince Igor, alongside Mongolian operas like B. Sharav’s Chinggis Khaan and Tears of Lama. In 2023, The Mongol Khan captivated audiences at the London Coliseum, reflecting the global appeal of Mongolian opera talent. The theater’s performers, including renowned baritones, have gone on to grace the stages of La Scala and the Bolshoi Theatre.
Pop Culture – Since Mongolia’s urbanization in the 1970s, its modern music scene has flourished with jazz, rock, pop, and hip-hop capturing the hearts of younger generations. Among Mongolia’s most internationally successful acts is The Hu, a folk-metal band formed in 2016. Combining traditional Mongolian instruments like the morin khuur (horse-headed fiddle), tovshuur, and throat singing, The Hu created “hunnu rock,” a genre inspired by the ancient Xiongnu empire. Their music, often featuring ancient Mongolian poetry and war cries, has introduced Mongolian culture to fans worldwide and solidified their place on the global music scene.
From ballet and opera to modern rock, Mongolia’s performing arts celebrate a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation, appealing to audiences at home and across the world.
