Esietendus

Esietendus is an Estonian noun meaning the first public performance of a theatre work, i.e., the premiere. It refers to the opening night of a new production, such as a play, opera, or ballet, and signifies the initial presentation of the work to an audience.

Etymology: The term combines es(i)-, a prefix indicating “first” or “initial,” with etendus, meaning “performance” or “show.” The form esietendus is standard in Estonian, and the plural is esietendused.

Usage: Esietendus is used in theatre discourse, press materials, and cultural calendars to denote the premiere. It is distinct from esilinastus, which is used for film premieres in Estonian. The concept is often associated with media coverage, reviews, and openings surrounding a new production.

Notes: In practice, esietendus marks the official first public performance; previews may occur prior to the premiere but are typically not referred to as esietendus.

See also: Esilinastus.