The 9 Most Beautiful Opera Houses in the World

Architects are not only specialists in the useful and the utilitarian, some put their knowledge and creativity to use for the service of art. Go with us on a world tour of the most beautiful opera houses. All of them are true architectural jewels.

1. The Sydney Opera House, Australia

The Sydney Opera House is a must-see building in Australia. A true symbol and a must-see place to visit. The Sydney Opera House by its full name is known worldwide. The opera house was inaugurated in 1973 and hosts very beautiful operas. It is one of the most famous buildings of the twentieth century. The architecture of the opera house is by Jorn Utzon. For some, the opera is shell-shaped and for others, it looks like a sailboat. The concert hall has the largest mechanical organ in the world. The perfect instrument to listen to beautiful pieces, right?

2. La Scala in Milan, Italy

La Scala in Milan is the star opera house of the opera world. It is built in the shape of a horseshoe. This very particular form was adopted by many other opera houses built long afterward, including the Paris, Vienna and London opera houses. It was at La Scala that great works by Rossini, for example, were performed for the first time.

3. Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina

This building is considered one of the five best opera houses in the world. It was inaugurated in 1857, and since then it has become a major presence on the world stage. It mixes two very particular architectural styles: Baroque and Renaissance. This project is inspired by the architecture of the Opéra Garnier. What makes this building special is the mix of styles. The succession of three different architects at the head of the construction brought different styles: a French touch inspired by Art Nouveau and an Italian touch.

4. Opéra Garnier in Paris, France

This opera owes its name to the architect who carried out the project. Its inauguration was in 1875 after a provisional inauguration that had taken place in 1867. The opera house is built with magnificent architecture thanks to the architect’s wish for the façade to be a real eye-catcher for people passing by. The Opéra Garnier is inspired by Italian Renaissance palaces. Its facade is heavily decorated, the staircases are grandiose and the ceilings of the opera house were painted by Chagall.

 5. Teatro Amazonas in Manaus, Brazil

This theatre is named after the region in which it is located: the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. The particularity of this building results in the fact that it is located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. The Teatro Amazonas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The aim of the building was to make the city of Manaus a cultural Mecca in Brazil. It is built with the finest materials: Italian marble for the stairs, for example.

6. The Semperoper Opera in Dresden, Germany 

It is a symbol of the German city of Dresden, which has experienced not only happy days and good events. Destroyed and rebuilt three times due to wars, it was also flooded in 2002. It is also used as a symbol by the Dresden local beer brand: Radeberger. The Semperoper is in the neoclassical style, a style that is very frequently found in Germany.

7. The Vienna State Opera, Austria

Inaugurated in 1869, the Vienna State Opera is a prestigious venue where the world's greatest opera pieces are performed by the best singers. It is of neo-Renaissance style, a style that was popular in the nineteenth century when it was built. The opera has a very large capacity of 2200 seats.

8. The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia 

The Bolshoi, or "great theatre" in Russian, has been renovated several times since its inception. It is one of the most important symbols of Moscow, as well as Russia in general. It is the second-largest theatre in the world. With its latest renovation, which was completed in 2011, the theatre has been restored to its former glory: gold, chandeliers and red velvet carpet, for example. Just to give you an idea, the Bolshoi is the effigy of the 100 ruble banknotes.

9. The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, USA

The Metropolitan Opera replaced an old opera house in New York that had been demolished to the ground. The facade of the opera house is decorated with five arches. It has a very large capacity of almost 4000 people on different levels. Its opening curtain is made of silk and it is the largest opera curtain in the world.