Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pressive, but give it time and it will leave you spellbound. Impressive at any time, it's
probably at its most magical in the winter when snow provides it with a gleaming coat and
the surrounding harbour fills with sparkling sheets of ice.
Before venturing inside be sure to walk up onto the roof, which was designed to act as a
'carpet' of sloping angles and flat surfaces. It's a symbolism that obviously works because
Norwegians love to sprawl out across it on sunny days and sunbathe. Also, don't miss
'playing' the musical rods that sit both up on the roof and near the entrance. Floating just
offshore of the Opera House is Monica Bonvicini's
She Lies,
a three-dimensional interpret-
ation of Caspar David Friedrich's 1823-24 painting
Das Eismeer
(The Sea of Ice). As the
tides rush in and out of the harbour, the steel and glass sculpture spins and twists, creating
a constantly changing perspective for the viewer.
The main entrance to the Opera House is purposely small and unimpressive, which
serves only to add to the sense of vastness that greets you on entering the main foyer (the
windows alone are 15m high and flood the foyer with light). Aside from the windows, the
other dominating feature of the foyer is the Wave Wall. Made of strips of golden oak, the
wall curves up through the centre of the foyer and provides access to the upper levels of
the building. Opposite the wave wall, green lights create playful patterns on the wall (and
make the toilets and coat room they hide the most artistic you will ever visit!).
House; mains from Nkr148, set menus from Nkr375)
, serving suitably modern and arty takes on
old Norwegian classics.
To see more of the building's interior, you will have to join one of the
guided tours
(
21 42 21 21; Kirsten Flagstads plass 1; adult/child Nkr100/60; 11am, 12pm & 1pm daily Jul-early
Aug, 11am, 12pm & 1pm Mon-Fri, 12pm & 1pm Sat, 1pm Sun early Aug-Aug 31st, 1pm Mon-Fri & Sun,
12pm Sat rest of yr )
. These run in English and Norwegian and take you into some of the
building's 1100 rooms. The guide will explain much of the artistic symbolism of the build-
ing, and reveal something of life behind the scenes at the Opera House. In high season it's
a good idea to book a space on a tour in advance.
While wandering around the building, it can be easy to forget that it's not just there to
serve as eye candy for tourists, and that its prime role is to act as a showcase for top-notch
opera and ballet performances. Upcoming performances are listed on the website and tick-
et prices vary from Nkr100 to Nkr745.
