The Norwegian Opera & Ballet

For a long time, Oslo was not really considered a relevant destination. Neighbouring cities like Stockholm in Sweden and Copenhagen in Denmark were more attractive to international travellers. But once Oslo found oil, the nation’s economy changed, and so did the Oslo skyline. Contemporary architecture – skyscrapers, modernist museums, and completely new neighbourhoods – redefined Oslo’s image, turning it into a Scandinavian version of Miami, where tall buildings line the boardwalks. 

Since 2008, the building that more than any other symbolises Oslo is the Opera House, its angular architecture inviting people to visit both its exteriors (as the sloped roof is a popular meeting place) and interiors, with perfect acoustics for musical performances. A request from the city to the architects, the renowned architecture studio Snøhetta, was that the new building would be part of creating a new urban landscape that would connect the city with the Oslo Fjord.

The foyer is a light, open space, its one side a large, undulating oakwood wall. On the other side of the wall are the opera house’s three performance halls. All design choices were based on acoustic requirements, and so the materials and shape of the house are an effect of what was best for the timbre and tonal possibilities. In this way, the house is sound turned into architecture, and the main stage is a large wooden instrument.

The house is built to naturally separate the backstage – rehearsal rooms, song and ballet studios, workshops, and offices – from the public spaces, so that people who work here can focus on their craft without being disturbed, and visitors who want to experience the building don’t have to feel like they are intruding. However, the common element is openness, and visitors can look through big glass windows and see activities in the scene painting room, sewing room, and hat and mask section. 

Primarily three materials were used: stone, wood, and metal. The stone was white marble from Carrara, the wood was oak, and the metal facades were made from aluminium. 17 artists were invited to create site-specific artworks, integrated into the building. One of the most suggestive pieces is Olafur Eliasson’s four white-lit installations in the wardrobe area, called “The Other Wall”. 

The Norwegian Opera & Ballet