Muscat's Royal Opera House is one of the newest and most spectacular attractions in the capital city and, on a larger scale, the country. The ROHM continues to work towards elevating Oman's cultural status, existing as a beacon of both Omani modernism and tradition. The state-of-the-art venue showcases a diverse range of local and international artistic works including musicals, theatre productions and, of course, operatic performances.
It's no secret Oman's illustrious leader Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said is a passionate supporter of classical music; his national 120-piece orchestra is renowned throughout the entire Middle East and tours the world to great acclaim. The Royal Opera House was commissioned as a flagship concert venue to match the high artistic ambitions of the Sultan and the Omani people. The idea of the ROHM was not just to build another structure, but to create a hub for engaging the people and promoting cultural tourism.
Some have deemed the Royal Opera House an "architectural masterpiece", one engineer who worked on the project called the edifice a "timeless piece". The magnificent building is an attraction in its own right, even outside the opera season (roughly September to May). The grandly exquisite Opera House unveils a sense of intimacy inside, with sculpted ceilings, floral glass embellishments and specially designed decorative lights suspended from above. The finishing touch is the small screens fitted to the back of the chairs, offering translations of the traditional Operatic language, Italian.
If you do wish to indulge your aural senses and catch a show on your holiday to Oman, there's no better place to do it than the ROHM. Tickets for productions can cost anywhere from $AUD15 to $AUD300, depending on the prominence of the performer and how close you want to be to the action. The Opera House is also highly praised for the hospitality of the staff, adding an extra touch to an already memorable experience. Even if you don't have an ear for classical music, the atmosphere, acoustics and aesthetics of the Royal Opera House Muscat make it a must-see attraction. Don't forget to pop into The Opera Galleria for a spot of shopping on your way out.
