Royal Opera House, Muscat (must see)

The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) stands as Oman's foremost hub for musical arts and cultural expression. Situated in the Shati Al-Qurm district, it was commissioned by Sultan Qaboos of Oman, boasting a distinctive contemporary Omani architectural style. With a seating capacity for up to 1,100 spectators, the opera house complex encompasses a concert theatre, an auditorium, meticulously landscaped gardens, a cultural market offering retail experiences, upscale dining establishments, and an art center dedicated to musical, theatrical, and operatic performances.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the ruler of Oman during the opera house's construction, harbored a profound appreciation for classical music and the arts. Thus, in 2001, he initiated the construction of an opera house initially dubbed the 'House of Musical Arts,' later christened as the 'Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM).' Erected by Carillion Alawi, it earned the distinction of being the world's first opera house equipped with Radio Marconi's innovative multimedia interactive display seatback system, Mode23. Officially inaugurated on October 12, 2011, with a rendition of the opera Turandot conducted by Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo.

ROHM's inaugural season was marked by illustrious performances featuring renowned artists such as Plácido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, and soprano Renée Fleming. Additionally, the opera house hosted stellar acts including cellist Yo Yo Ma and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the American Ballet Theatre's rendition of Don Quixote, The Paul Taylor Dance Company, Mariinsky Ballet's performance of Swan Lake, and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis with New York City's Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Notably, the venue also showcased talents from the Arab world such as Majida El Roumi and paid homage to the legendary Um Kalthoum. In March 2013, the Indian violinist Dr. L. Subramanyam lauded ROHM as home to the Middle East's sole orchestra composed entirely of regional musicians.