Glowing bright against the dark Arabian skies scattered with stars in the desert land is the cultural icon of the Royal Opera House Muscat. Built under the patronage of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman in 2001, the Opera House opened new doors to the land to not only develop and inspire the inherent talent of the locals but also to a cultural diplomacy with foreign nations. Located in the Shati Al-Qurm district of Muscat it has the capacity to entertain 1,100 guests at a time and hosts a number of productions from around the world every year.
A concert theatre, auditorium, cultural market with retail outlets, an art centre for theatrical, musical and operatic productions, a luxury restaurant and formal landscaped gardens make up the Opera House complex. It has set its record as the first in the world to be equipped with Radio Marconi’s multimedia interactive display seatback system. The architectural detail and the inlaid marble, hand-carved wood and crystal chandeliers are fabulous bringing a rich elegance to the Opera House. The theatre has the remarkable feature of being able to transform from a classic proscenium theatre to a concert hall with an imposing organ pipe.
Oman sits in a comfortable location intersecting the Arabian and Western world with that of the Asians. Through history the people of Oman have collected knowledge from both parts of the world and their culture has been nurtured by the influence of both worlds. The Opera House helps to bring about the art revolution most Arabian countries appear to lack. It not only helps to improve local arts and theatrical productions, but by the showcasing of foreign productions such as work by Plácido Domingo, Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, and the American Ballet Theatre it helps build foreign relations and truly fostering cultural exchange.
A stay at a Muscat hotel will definitely be a memorable experience. One staying at an Oman Muscat hotel must visit the Opera House as it is a rare opportunity to see such talent and beauty all presented in one place. Millennium Resort Mussanah is among the finest of the hotels in Muscat with exquisite service and plush surroundings.