OMAN’S artistic creations and representations of its traditional and contemporary culture are best symbolised by the Royal Opera House of Muscat. Since it opened its doors, the Royal Opera House of Muscat has been hosting impressive acts and performances from around the world such as major shows featuring Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, American soprano Renée Fleming, French and American cellist Yo Yo Ma, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Built in 2011 using Omani desert rose stone and stucco wall coverings, the 80,000 sq m opera house (formerly House of Musical Arts) in Shati Al-Qurm district is a stunning work of art in itself. The opera house was constructed in accordance with the directives of H.M. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and world-renowned professionals were brought in to turn his vision into a reality. Today, the opera house complex – built to accommodate a maximum of 1,100 people – is composed of a concert theatre, auditorium, cultural market with retail, landscaped gardens, luxury restaurants, and an art centre for musical, theatrical and operatic productions. This dual-purpose auditorium can be transformed into an opera hall or a concert hall. For operas, the room features a proscenium arch, fly-tower, and orchestra pit. The stage is also generously proportioned, with side stages for scenery and sets. On the other hand, the auditorium is turned into a classical shoebox concert hall for live musical performances, with the room having parallel side walls and a high, flat ceiling. Under the leadership of director general Christina Scheppelman, the opera house continues to make its mark through its line-up of Arabic and international performances from some of the world’s highly renowned artists and performing companies. For 2014-2015, ROHM will showcase the rich and diverse artistic creations of Omani artists and featured world class performances of opera, ballet, symphonic music, arabesque, family-friendly performances, jazz, flamenco, among others.