Muscats has unusual buildings, like an Opera House.

In a Western country, having a large Opera House in the capital is not unusual, but the Royal Opera House in Muscat makes it extraordinary. Of course, I think it is excellent, but to my knowledge, this kind of music is not something their culture is too familiar with. I do, of course, know the reason behind the building, which fascinates me. The much loved and admired last Sultan Qaboos, who had studied in the UK at a young age, had also developed a love for opera and classical music. Therefore, in his later years, he erected this fantastic building in Muscat, the capital of Oman.

From the Opera House homepage

Royal Opera House Muscat is the leading arts and culture organization in the Sultanate of Oman. The Opera House’s vision is to serve as a centre of excellence in global cultural engagement. We strive to enrich lives through diverse artistic, cultural, and educational programs. The multidisciplinary work of the Royal Opera House Muscat showcases rich and varied artistic creations from Oman, the region, and the world.

Arriving at the Opera House

After visiting the Grand Mosque on the morning of December 24th, The Royal Opera House was devoted all afternoon. On several occasions, I was recommended to see and experience the relatively new Opera House in Muscat. Before I left for Oman, I had checked if there were some performances during the days I was going to be in Muscat. Unfortunately, there was none, but they do guided tours throughout the year. This opportunity could not pass me by.

We were shown the Lobby and the auditorium, but unfortunately, we were not backstage. Since I work backstage myself, this would, of course, have been interesting. On the other hand, I know this Opera House does not work the same way as in other theatres. They do not produce costumes, or stage sets themself. Most classical operas and ballets they show here are tours from other theatres abroad.

Modern, with a classical Arabic twist.

Here, you get a mixture of many things. The outside has a very traditional Omani colour and boxy style. When you enter the Lobby, it has a classical “old-fashioned” staircase and a grandeur entrance to the theatre. Then you notice all the characteristic Arabic details in decor on walls, arches and ceilings. The same is evident inside the auditorium. Anyone visiting Muscat should put this Opera House on their to-do list and maybe get to watch a performance on what we were told was an ultra-modern stage.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

I was staying in Ruwi while I was in Muscat. There is not too much public transport in Oman, but a bus goes along the high road through Muscat. If a taxi driver does not highjack you before the bus arrives, you can take the bus to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. It is a bit of walking to cross the high road. Another thing to remember if you want to visit this unique Mosque is that the prayer room is only open for tourists between eight and eleven in the morning. The rest of the area is open all day, and it is free.

There are many facts about this new Mosque that you can read on Wikipedia, so I will not repeat all these dry facts here. However, it is the largest Mosque in Oman, and since it was built in the 1990s, all the details are well-known. Therefore, I will inspire you to go and see it for yourself.

This building has many specific details, but it held many world records when it was built, like the largest hand-knotted carpet and the heaviest chandelier. Many of these records were lost when The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi was built. A mosque I visited later on this trip.