Royal Opera House Muscat, Opera house in Shati Al Qurm district, Muscat, Oman.
Royal Opera House Muscat is an opera house in the Shati Al Qurm district of Muscat, covering a wide site with landscaped gardens and reflecting pools. The white marble exterior displays geometric patterns and arches, while golden details and carved wooden panels define the interior spaces.
Sultan Qaboos commissioned the construction of this music center in 2001, bringing a longstanding vision into reality. It opened in October 2011 with a performance of Turandot, becoming the first opera house on the Arabian Peninsula.
The venue stages international performers alongside traditional Arabic musicians, blending both traditions within a single season. Visitors often see productions performed in multiple languages, reflecting the building's role as a cultural bridge between East and West.
The building opens for visitors every day except Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with guided tours offering insight into the architecture and backstage areas. Evening performances require formal attire, so guests should plan their clothing accordingly.
The auditorium features interactive screens mounted behind each seat, displaying subtitles in multiple languages that viewers can activate during performances. The stage can be reconfigured in a matter of hours from a concert hall layout into a traditional proscenium setup.
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