The State Theatre of Opera and Ballet is yet another lavish construction, made of marble and gold trimmings. The tickets can get very expensive, but if you want to see a good Kazakh, Russian or Italian opera this is the place to be. You might not think of Kazakhstan as a prime place to experience such European culture, but the productions at the State Theatre of Opera and Ballet are as good as any you’ll find in the old cities of Europe. This opera house can easily rival those of Vienna and Budapest. Apart from shows, the building in itself is worth the visit—filled to the brim with interesting pieces of art. The staff is very polite and helpful.