Opera on Ice

On Saturday, December 22, we finally had a chance to go see the Royal Opera House here in Muscat.  You can go any time to do a tour either guided or on your own, but we just hadn't made time for it yet.  We had planned on going to see the Sleeping Beauty ballet in November, but those plans fell through.  An afternoon showing of Opera on Ice was a perfect starting point for the boys.

I have only one picture from inside the auditorium because I wasn't sure I was allowed to take pictures in there at all.  I took a picture of the carved marble back wall.  Pictures are forbidden during the performance.  But the rest of the opera house is grand and beautiful.  I want to go back sometime when there is not a show and even go to the galleria just to see what high end shops there are.

Entering the Royal Opera House from the parking deck.  On the left is a restaurant.  To the right, they were setting up for an outdoor venue later in the evening.

Inside the opera house.  Such high ceilings!  Lots of wood and marble.

They have some displays of costumes from previous performances and ancient instruments.  This was my favorite because the middle guy looks like Groot.  Excuse the reflections.

Lots of exquisite, large chandeliers in Oman.

Some of the detailed tile work inside.

It's hard to tell, but these large windows had designs etched into them including blue diamonds.

The back wall inside the auditorium.  Beautifully carved walls like this are common design elements in Oman.

As for the Opera on Ice, the stage had been transformed into a small ice skating rink for the show.  Meryl Davis and Charlie White were the star ice skaters of the show.  There was a cast of other ice skaters as well as the opera singers (who mostly did not skate).  It was a fantastic show.  Not knowing if we liked opera or not, this was a great option.  As opposed to showing an entire opera, it showcased various scenes from well-known operas.  And more specifically, well-known songs from operas.  I should have gotten a program, but I failed to notice where they were being sold.  I can tell you that it featured La Traviata, Carmen, something used in the movie Up, and Hansel and Gretel.  Doing the scenes this way kept it interesting, especially for kids.  The ice dancing also helped a good deal.

The boys did seem to enjoy it okay.  Sure, not what they would have picked for an afternoon, but they're young boys.  They got dressed up, sat still, and were able to pick out favorite scenes.  J liked when a juggler dropped a ball.  That kid.  And for going with kids, the 4pm shows offered at the opera house are perfect.  There's no need to be as formally dressed up for an afternoon show.  But, women should still wear a dress that covers their shoulders and knees.  Men should still wear a jacket.  The kids were good in pants and button up shirts.

The boys and I waiting to go to our seats.  This gives you an idea of how we all dressed for an afternoon show.