Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm

The Royal Swedish Opera, located in the heart of Stockholm, is a prestigious opera and ballet company with a rich history dating back to the 18th century. Situated in the Norrmalm district, the Opera House stands on the eastern side of Gustav Adolfs Torg, across from the former Arvfurstens Palats, now the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and near other significant landmarks like the Royal Palace, Sager House, and the Riksdag building.

The opera company was founded by King Gustav III alongside the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. Its inaugural performance, Thetis and Phelée, took place on January 18, 1773, marking the first native-speaking opera performed in Sweden. However, the original opera house, commissioned by King Gustav III and designed by architect Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz, was not completed until 1782. This "Gustavian Opera" was an imposing structure featuring a Corinthian tetrastyle portico, a four-tiered auditorium, and a lavish neoclassical foyer. The building served as a cultural hub for over a century before being demolished in 1892 to make way for a new opera house.

The current Royal Opera House, designed by Axel Johan Anderberg, was inaugurated in 1897 by King Oscar II with a production of Franz Berwald's Estrella de Soria. This Neoclassical building, known simply as "Operan," features a grand, golden foyer (Guldfoajén) and a marble grand staircase leading to a three-tiered auditorium, which seats 1,200. While smaller than its predecessor, the new house maintains the grandeur and elegance befitting its royal patronage. The Royal Box, reserved for the Swedish Royal Family, is prominently located in the first tier above the orchestra pit.

The Royal Swedish Opera is renowned for its rich tradition of featuring world-class talent, including legendary singers like Jussi Björling, Birgit Nilsson, and Anne Sofie von Otter. The company performs a wide range of productions, mostly in their original languages with Swedish subtitles. The Royal Swedish Orchestra, or Kungliga Hovkapellet, is one of Europe's oldest orchestras, tracing its origins back to 1526.

Today, the Royal Swedish Opera continues to be a cornerstone of Sweden's cultural life, preserving and advancing the country's operatic and ballet traditions.

Why You Should Visit:
Beautiful inside and outside, this opera house is a gorgeously decorated edifice worth admiring by architecture lovers.
The actual stage and seating area are smaller than one might imagine, which makes for a very cozy and intimate setting.
The operas played here are usually of very high quality.

Tip:
You can well purchase your tickets for performances online, as the schedule is published for the whole season.
By taking a guided tour, you will have the opportunity to look backstage, visit the Royal Box, and look into the orchestra pit.