2012). At the Royal Opera House of Oman - “The Nutcracker” by the New Opera (12/23/2012) What to see in Oman

Muscat greets the traveler with the bizarre relief of coastal rocks, enveloping aromas of incense, and intricate openwork ornaments of oriental palaces. Its long winding streets winding along the coastline seem to have come straight out of the pages of ancient times. Arabian tales"A Thousand and One Nights." The marble vaults of the imposing snow-white palace, where the Royal Opera theatre Muscat, which became the first in the Persian Gulf region, is the personification of the appearance of the new Oman, where they met and organically intertwined national history, traditional culture and what Western civilization is proud of.

Traditional Arabic musical works coexist in the program with classical opera and ballet masterpieces that make up the repertoire largest theaters peace. “Our goal is to show viewers the wealth of the world cultural heritage in its entirety,” says the theater’s director, Italian Umberto Fanni, who has a career as a pianist and director of several European opera houses, including Teatro Guiseppe Verdi in Trieste and Teatro Lirico in Sardinia. “Maximum cultural diversity and a high level of performance – this is what our policy is based on.”

The theater does not have its own symphony orchestra or opera troupe, nor does it have the opportunity to receive an appropriate education in Oman. But this is the goal towards which both the theater itself and the state are guided, like a beacon. First in the country Symphony Orchestra- the state symphony orchestra of Oman - appeared a little over a decade ago, in 2007. The Omani authorities see one of their tasks as educating a diverse public and raising a new generation of interested and inquisitive listeners capable of perceiving and appreciating cultural values both eastern and western civilizations.

Ministry of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman

Viewers see Western classical programs performed by world opera and ballet stars. Placido Domingo, Jose Cura and Anna Netrebko performed on this stage. “Anna Karenina” performed by the Boris Eifman Ballet Theater became a sensation and sold out. Throughout the year, at the invitation of the theater, European teachers come to Oman to teach children in schools and even stage small productions. The theater is patronized by the leader of the country, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Busaid.

Oman – absolute monarchy, where Sultan Qaboos has ruled since 1970. Having come to power as a result of carefully prepared coup d'etat, during which not a drop of blood was shed, the Sultan sent his dethroned father to Great Britain, who carried out extreme conservative politics, and immediately began radical reforms. The country fell to the ruler in a deplorable state: a poor and illiterate population, an undeveloped economy, lack of roads, infrastructure, social sphere and education systems.

Ministry of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman

When the Sultan ascended the throne, there were less than a dozen schools in the state; today their number exceeds one and a half thousand, and classes in many of them run in two shifts. Sultan Qaboos, who received a European education at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst (Great Britain), pursues a policy of modernizing the country and pays special attention to the rights of women, who are given several portfolios in ministries, are allowed to be in the diplomatic service and serve in the army, and are ensured an equal level with men wages.

The ruler of Oman patronizes the opera house with pleasure: the Sultan received musical education, plays the organ beautifully and loves Mozart very much

It is to Qaboos that Omani women owe the right to take part in elections and the right to own land. Locals proudly draw comparisons with neighboring Saudi Arabia, noting that in Oman, women have the right to be on the street unaccompanied by men and to drive, and coeducational education for boys and girls is allowed in primary school and higher educational institutions.

The ruler of Oman patronizes the opera house with pleasure. “The Sultan received a musical education, plays the organ very well and loves Mozart very much,” notes Umberto Fanni. “In him we have a sincere like-minded person.” It’s nice that the theater is becoming a trendsetter on the Arabian Peninsula: after us, the opera house opened in Dubai. We are not afraid of competition – cultural treasures are limitless, and inspiration cannot be copied.”

Meanwhile, elements of Westernization are applied very selectively in Oman. Morals here are strict by European standards. The import of erotic materials into the country is officially prohibited, including any printed and video products. The vagueness of the wording allows the authorities, if they wish, to interpret the norm arbitrarily and at their own discretion. For kisses in in public places You can easily get a very angry public rebuke, or even a slap in the face. Guides working with the Muscat tourism office warn their clients about this and urge them to refrain from public displays of affection. The only Muslim place of worship where tourists are allowed entry is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

Ministry of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman

Oman's desire to preserve its historical and cultural identity is best characterized by the architectural landscape of the country, where there is not a single skyscraper and traditional architecture. The absence of vertical development is one of the fundamental principles of the state's urban planning policy, and the visual appearance of Oman is an impressive contrast to the spectacular asymmetrical high-rise buildings built according to the designs of Western architectural bureaus in the neighboring UAE.

Mass tourism in Oman is just beginning to develop. Tourists are taken to the ancient city of Nizwa, the picturesque oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid and Bedouin settlements not by the usual tourist buses, but by private guides in their own jeeps, which actually turns the excursion into a customized tour. Erudite and courteous personal guides are attentive, sensitive and flexible, allowing travelers to explore the sights at their own pace. Here it is not customary to hurry up the guest by nodding at the dial and hinting at the need to meet the schedule.

“For us, the Oman of the future is, of course, a crossroads of cultures, where eastern and western values do not argue with each other, but mutually enrich each other,” says Umberto Fanni. – It is very important for us that the theater is not a luxury, but affordable holiday: the cheapest tickets cost less than ten euros, and the upper limit does not exceed 150 euros. Already now people from neighboring Middle Eastern countries come to us specifically to hear Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” or Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” for the first time in their lives - performed by European artists, but in an oriental theater, and appearance, and whose interiors pay tribute to national traditions.”

Oman compares favorably with other Gulf countries. Unlike the “sterile” UAE and closed Saudi Arabia, Oman has retained its identity and was able to provide a high standard of living without becoming concrete jungle or into a completely theological state.

Oman has a rich and rich story, so the traveler can expect active excursion routes to the places where the Queen of Sheba reigned and where Sinbad the Sailor set off on his fabulous voyage. Oman is ruled by a real sultan who pays a lot of attention to the environment. There are many in the country national parks, where rare animals are found: Arabian tahr, ash falcon, giant sea turtle, leopard, striped hyena. Oman is also a real paradise for divers, not inferior in beauty underwater world Egyptian resorts.

In Oman, guests can enjoy impeccable service from comfortable hotels, picturesque and well-kept urban space, well-maintained beaches and interesting excursions to historical places.

The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see in Oman?

The most interesting and Beautiful places, photographs and brief description.

Considered a masterpiece modern architecture in Oman. The temple was built at the expense of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who in 1993 decided that his country needed its own Great Mosque. Construction was completed in 2001. The building accommodates 6.5 thousand believers, while the external prayer area is designed for 8 thousand people.

Medieval citadel of the 13th century in the city of Bahla ( former capital Oman). It is assumed that the Nabhani dynasty, which was ruling at that time, was located in the fortress. Bahla was part of the defensive line at the foot of the Jebel Akhdar mountains. In the 80s XX century, the Omani government allocated more than $9 million for restoration, but restoration work has not yet been completed.

A very picturesque street on the shores of the Gulf of Oman in the capital of the country. The embankment is decorated with fountains, openwork gazebos, and sculptures. Here is the Al-Alam Palace, built more than 200 years ago. In the evening the lights turn on, tourists pour out onto the Corniche and local residents to enjoy an evening stroll.

A very unusual building. From the outside it seems that this is a palace, the residence of the royal family or a luxurious administrative building made in the Arab architectural tradition. But this is a place where classical music by world composers sounds. The Opera House is surrounded by magnificent landscaped gardens and has a gourmet restaurant on site.

This is the old port part of the city of Muscat. The forts were built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. For 60 years, they were their main base and location. After the expulsion of the Portuguese invaders, the Omanis rebuilt some of the structures and still use them for military purposes. Therefore, most of the territory is closed to tourists.

Royal Palace, residence of ruler Qubas bin Said. Used to receive honorary delegations and heads of state, therefore free access to the palace is prohibited. But you can admire it from the Corniche embankment during an evening walk. Al-Alam is almost 200 years old, it was built during the time of Sultan ibn Ahmed.

A small ancient fort surrounded high mountains and tropical vegetation. Rustak looks like a long-awaited oasis among the desert mountains; there are many historical attractions inside the town. In the 17th century the capital of the state was located here for some time. The Rustak fortress, located on a rocky spur, rises above the city and attracts the admiring glances of tourists.

Located near the city of Nizwa. The age of the cave is almost 2 million years. They take you here organized excursions with a guide who will tell you about the origin, rocks and secret entrances to the cave. Al Khuta has several underground lakes where quite rare species of blind fish live. There is a small geological museum located near the cave.

Boundless expanses of sand dunes, stretching for almost 190 km. south of Muscat. The dunes constantly change color from rich amber to pale orange and move. On the outskirts of the desert there is a large oasis of Al-Huwaya, where date and banana groves grow. They are watched by several local Bedouin families.

A traditional Arabic colorful oriental bazaar with a classic ambiance: narrow streets, merchants' shops where you can buy anything, endless labyrinths and intertwining passages filled with people. Muttrah is considered the oldest Omani market. Here you can buy aromatic Omani coffee, antiques, sandalwood items, and jewelry.

Royal Opera of Oman (Muscat, Oman) - repertoire, ticket prices, address, phone numbers, official website.

Last minute tours Worldwide

The main musical and cultural venue of Oman is the opera house. It is located in the Shati Al Qurm area of Muscat. The opera house was built by royal decree of Sultan Qaboos and serves as an excellent example of modern Omani architecture. The complex consists of a concert theatre, auditorium, landscaped gardens and a cultural market with shops, luxury restaurants and an art centre. The capacity of the main hall of the opera is 1100 people.

The ruler of Muscat, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, has always been a great fan of classical music and the arts. In 2001, as soon as the monumental construction of the Great Mosque was completed, the Sultan ordered the construction of this complex, which he initially wanted to call the “House musical arts" The opera house was officially opened in 2011 with the opera "Turandot", main party in which the great Placido Domingo sang.

The Oman Theater was the first in the world to be equipped with an interactive seatback multimedia display system from the Italian company Radio-Marconi, model Mode32.

The first opera season was very successful: guest stars from around the world shone in the theater. opera stage, such as Andrea Bocelli and Renee Fleming. It also hosted concerts by world-famous cellist Yo Yo Ma and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, American ballet theater staged Don Quixote, performed dance group Paul Taylor and the New York Lincoln Center Orchestra with a jazz program. The theater has also hosted some Arab artists and in 2013, Indian violin music icon Dr. Subrahmanyam performed there.

Royal Opera of Oman

Oman's opera features the only orchestra in the Middle East composed entirely of musicians from the region.

Our compatriots were also among the most honored guests of the Royal Opera: the troupe Mariinsky Theater brought “Swan Lake” here.

In addition to the performances and concerts that take place here, the Royal Opera House features stunning architecture and rich interiors that combine Omani tradition with modernity. Here you can see excellent hand-made ornaments and other complex elements decor, including unusual lighting. In order to admire all this, you don’t have to go to a concert: the building can be viewed with a guided tour in the morning, every day.

Some might find it strange to see a store in an opera house, but Omanis obviously won't. The Opera Gallery has about 50 boutiques selling clothes, jewelry, accessories and perfumes. Patek Philippe, Lalique, Alessandro, etc. operate here. Plus, a stylish London cafe, an Indian restaurant and an Omani restaurant are also open here.

Another part of the Royal Opera House complex is the House of Omani Crafts, which sells superb traditional handcrafted items sourced from various locations throughout the Sultanate.

This Italian-style opera house is located in the Shati Al-Qurm district of Muscat, Oman. It is expected that after opening the Royal Opera House will become a cultural attraction at the level of the entire Cooperation Council Arab states Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf); it will also be the first opera house in the region and only the second (after the Cairo Opera House, located in Egypt in the Middle East). Construction of the theater was begun by order of the Royal Court Affairs of Oman ); the project was created in full accordance with the norms and traditions of modern Omani architecture. The building will be designed to accommodate 1,100 visitors at a time.
As with any world-class opera house, the Royal Opera House Muscat, along with concert hall and the audience will also be wonderful landscaped gardens, a market, a luxurious restaurant and an arts center. Musical, theatrical and opera performances will be staged within the walls of the theatre.
The ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, has always been an ardent lover of classical music; that is why in 2001 he ordered the construction of a new opera house - capable of hosting the best theater troupes and musical orchestras. Representatives of the best architectural firms in the world competed for the right to develop a project for a new theater; Ultimately, the development rights went to the British Theater Projects Consultants. The British were entrusted not only with the development of the external structure of the building and supervision of construction; They were also in charge of interior design, landscaping, installation of decorative lighting, creation of a kitchen system, management of the technical elements of the theater and the formation of proper acoustics.
It was important to develop an external design that would look good against the backdrop of modern Omani buildings; that is why the new opera could not do without colonnades, terraces and sculptural towers. After construction was completed, the building was decorated with light-colored stone - mined, by the way, from nearby quarries - and completely covered with plaster. One of the main distinctive features the project became concert hall– its outer shell is quite mobile and can be easily rebuilt; the proscenium can be moved relatively quickly, giving the hall a more " theatrical view". Such a move helped to significantly improve the acoustic characteristics of the hall.
The total area of the Royal Opera House is 80,000 square meters; almost half of them are occupied by wonderful artificial gardens. The external facade of the three-level hall is decorated with a mineral common to these places, known under the poetic name “desert rose”; the interior will be decorated in a more traditional Arabic style. Another traditionally Arab element should be the souq bazaar located south of the theater; There will be restaurants, coffee shops, luxury boutiques and even art galleries nearby.
The secret of the external decoration of the opera house is carefully kept secret, so for now there is practically no information in the public domain about the appearance of the future theater. However, there is relatively little time left before its opening - soon the residents of Muscat will be able to see with their own eyes the beauty of the Royal Opera House.

Theater opening in Muscat

The Royal Opera House in Oman is another wonder of the East. This symbol of the Renaissance of the reign of Sultan Qaboos bin Said was created for the cultural enrichment of the country.

Theater opening in Muscat

The grand opening of the opera house took place on October 11, 2011. At that time, it was the only one on the Arabian Peninsula. The Omani ruler is famous for his great love To classical music, so the opening of such an establishment was a matter of time. The opera building symbolizes its rich heritage with its architecture. It became the main music center in the country. In the first season, world stars such as Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming, Andrea Bocelli and others performed on the stage of the Royal Opera House Muscat.

Architecture and construction of the theater

Many famous world firms sought to work on the theater project in Oman. The British company Theater Projects Consultants won. Their development included:

supervision of construction and external structure of the building;
landscaping and interior design;
installation of decorative lighting;
management of technical elements of the theater;
formation of proper acoustics.

An important condition during construction was that the theater building should not block the view of the mountains. The architecture had to fit into the background of modern buildings in Muscat, taking into account the geographical and national specifics, and it was quite successful. After construction was completed, the outer façade of the theater was lined with mineral mined from nearby quarries.

Royal decoration

80 thousand sq. m constitute the total area of the Opera House in Muscat. Most This territory is occupied by a magnificent garden, but all the splendor is hidden under the outer shell:

How to visit the Royal Opera House in Oman?

Getting to see a concert or performance at the Royal Opera is a great success. Ticket prices vary depending on the program and location. Prices start from $35 and up. The dress code for men is a jacket, for women it is an evening dress.

If you want to see the theater building without attending a concert or performance, this is also possible. You can explore the entire Royal Opera complex by purchasing. They are held at the opera every day from 8:30 to 10:30. Muscat Opera Gallery is open from 10:00 to 22:00. Cafes and restaurants – from 8:00 to 24:00.

How to get there?

The Royal Opera House is located in the Shati Al Qurm area. Most tourists come here by taxi as this is the most convenient way.