Places with a story
Operahuset
Operahuset in Oslo is a venue for opera and ballet and a public landscape beside the fjord. Its sloping marble roof invites visitors to experience the building even without attending a performance.
The place2
Designed by Snøhetta, the building connects the waterfront with the city through a broad white roof and open glass foyer. Inside, an undulating oak wall wraps around the performance spaces. The contrast between stone outside and warm wood inside is central to its architectural character.
History and local connections1
Construction began on 17 February 2003 and the house opened with a gala on 12 April 2008. It became the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, founded in 1957. The institution's first director was the soprano Kirsten Flagstad, an important figure in the campaign for a permanent opera home.
What to look for2
Look for the aluminium facades around the stage building, the oak surfaces in the foyer and Monica Bonvicini's floating sculpture She Lies in the harbour. Windows into the workshops show scenery, costumes and practical work behind performances. The opera house has three performance stages of different sizes and purposes.
Planning a visit12
Choose between a waterfront and roof visit, a performance, and an organised guided tour. Check the opera's visitor information for current access arrangements, tour languages and performance tickets. Backstage and auditorium access depends on the relevant programme; exploring the exterior does not provide admission to a production.
Sources
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