OperaHouse

Certainly! Let’s delve into more details about the Cairo Opera House:

• History:
  • The Cairo Opera House was inaugurated on October 10, 1988. It stands as part of Cairo’s National Cultural Centre.
  • The funds for constructing the complex were a gift from Japan to Egypt, a result of President Hosni Mubarak’s visit to Japan in April 1983.
  • Construction began in May 1985 and lasted for three years.
  • In October 1988, President Mubarak and Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (the younger brother of the Japanese Emperor) inaugurated the National Cultural Centre Cairo Opera House.
  • Notably, it was the first time for Japan to stage a Kabuki show (a traditional popular drama with singing and dancing) in Africa or the Arab World.
  • The London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra chose the Cairo Opera House as a venue for their first performance in the Middle East and Africa in January 2007.
  • The Arabic Oud House was initially created within its premises before moving to a building in the old town1.
• Khedivial Opera House:
  • In 1869, Khedive Ismail commissioned the construction of an opera house to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal.
  • Designed by Italian architects Avoscani and Rossi, the opera house was completed in just six months near Cairo’s Azbakeya district.
  • The opera house was meant to be a lasting symbol of the arts of drama and music.
  • Giuseppe Verdi composed the music for the famous opera “Aida”, which premiered in Cairo in 1871.
  • Contrary to general belief, Aida was not commissioned for the inauguration of the Suez Canal.
  • The Khedivial Opera House was the first in Africa and the Middle East to perform world-famous operas and symphonic masterpieces.
  • Tragically, in the early morning hours of October 28, 1971, a fire completely destroyed the great Khedivial Royal Opera House1.
• The Cairo Opera Complex:
  • The complex consists of seven theaters, a music library, an art gallery, and a museum.
  • The Main Hall seats 1,200 people across four levels, including orchestra seating, three tiers, and a presidential box.
  • It hosts operas, orchestra performances, and ballet shows.
  • The Cairo Opera House’s stunning design and pristine gardens make it an ode to architectural craft, and it boasts the most advanced staging technology in Africa2.

The Cairo Opera House remains a cultural beacon, showcasing artistic talent and connecting Egypt’s rich heritage with the world through music, dance, and theater.