A few months back I read a great New Yorker piece by David Owen about the Snøhetta architects who designed the Oslo Opera House (finished in 2008) — completely redefining the Oslo waterfront area from barren wasteland into an inviting public space. Owen’s focus was to highlight the project Snøhetta has been hired to do in Times Square, but I was completely captivated by the descriptions of their work in Oslo. I knew I would have to take a look for myself once I arrived!
So this past weekend we visited Den Norske Opera & Ballett. While we waited for our tour to begin, we wondered around outside. With white and shiny sloping surfaces and sharp edges everywhere emerging straight out of the water, the best way to describe the opera house is with the image of an iceberg. Even better — it’s an iceberg where you can wander around, lounge in the sun, and picnic on the waterfront. The opera house’s concept is an amazing combination of monumentality and accessibility.
The Easter Monday we visited was cold, but brilliantly sunny, and there were plenty of people sitting outside — in front of, next to, and on top of the opera house — basking in the rays bouncing up off the water. I am in love with how this building has become an active part of its surroundings.
Inside, the lobby is equally amazing, full of curving oak from all over Europe, echoing the roundness of an oak tree. The concert hall is filled with dark, rounded oak — both modern and traditional at the same time.
The tour also took us backstage, where we got to see the scenery, lighting, and all the machinery that goes into putting on a major performance. My favorite part, though, was visiting the studios where the sets are built and the exquisite costumes are made. Since ballets are also staged at the opera house, we even got to check out one of the dancers’ practice studios — the largest such studio in all of Europe — with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Oslo.
If you’re an architectural geek or opera/ballet aficionado, trust me, this is one place that you *must* visit while you’re in Oslo! English tours take place once a day from Friday-Monday and Wednesday, lasting 50 minutes and costing 100 NOK (€13.40).
We’ve taken tours of a number of concert halls before (Carnegie Hall and the Semper Oper Haus, for example), but this is the first time we’ve ever been back stage. Trust me, it’s SO cool!
It was definitely a nice way to round up an eventful holiday weekend, and I think touring the opera house is one of the favorite things I’ve done in Oslo so far!
Did you have a good holiday? Any exciting adventures to share?
Oh it looks so amazing, the last time I was in Oslo was midsummer 2007 and so the opera house wasn’t finished but I am looking forward to being back in Oslo in a couple of weeks as I have a meeting from the 17th to the 19th and I will have some time to take a wander and look at it. Snohetta were in the final 6 of the architectural competition we held here in Dundee to build the V&A at Dundee and it was my favourite design but not the winner – that winner has now grown on me – Kengo Kuma. But I still am excited to see Snohetta’s building in Oslo…..and the new art gallery….and to go to part of our meeting in Mathallen….food glorious food.
So if you have any hints for a cafe visit please let me know – I will have Tuesday evening, Wednesday am and Friday pm free and would like to find some yummy cake!
Then you will definitely enjoy wandering around the opera house — be sure to bring your camera! I still haven’t made it to Mathallen, but it’s on my list — perhaps this weekend. :)
I haven’t specifically been on the lookout for cake here, but there are a number of United Bakeries around town with great coffee and pastries. I’ve also heard that Hello Good Pie at the Mathallen has some great pies, if you’re a pie lover. :)
Enjoy your time in Oslo!
Wow!! What a beautiful building – I love oak in the lobby!! Your adventures are making me push Oslo up the list of places to visit.
Wow! That architecture. How lovely!!