The home of the Norwegian National Ballet and Opera is a large marble and glass edifice that resembles a glacier rising out of the water.
Oslo Opera House is the largest cultural center built in Norway since the beginning of the 14th century. It has three stages and more than 1,000 rooms. Visit the site to see a performance or marvel at the building’s architecture as part of a guided tour.
The building’s prominent design feature is a roof that slopes steeply up from the waters of the Oslo Fjord. The roof is also a public plaza that can be walked on. During the summer you’ll see people sunbathing and picnicking on the roof.
Inside, marvel at the Wave Wall, a four-story oak wall wrapping around the Opera House’s three performance spaces.The building has been decorated with eight art projects. Among the highlights are the perforated wall panels by Olafur Eliasson and the main stage’s curtain that resembles crumpled aluminum foil.
Learn how operas and ballets are staged with a 50-minute guided tour of the building and backstage areas. Stand on the Main Stage, visit the costume workshop and see where the elaborate sets are painted. Tours are held daily and must be booked in advance. Some guided tours include stage rehearsals. For pricing and details, visit the Opera House’s website.
It’s possible to glimpse some of the Opera House’s inner workings without booking a tour. Openness and accessibility are hallmarks of the building’s design. Large glass windows look onto the hat and mask section, sewing room and other backstage areas.
Enhance your appreciation of the opera or ballet you are about to see by stopping off at the Opera House’s Education Center. Introductory presentations regarding each work take place one hour before curtain goes up. They last for approximately 30 minutes.
Oslo Opera House is situated in Bjorvika, a waterfront neighborhood of central Oslo. To reach the Opera House, you can take the NSB train to Oslo Central Station. From the station, follow the yellow signs to the Opera House. If you are driving, there are parking spaces on nearby streets and public lots in the city center. Find disabled parking bays north of the Opera House in Opera Alley. Concert times and prices are on the Oslo Opera House website.
