The Royal Swedish Opera is an art deco masterpiece that serves as the country’s preeminent stage for ballet and opera. The company dates back to the late 18th century, while its neoclassical home was constructed in the 1800s. Enter the building to find yourself in the ornate foyer, decorated with gold leaf features and sculptures.
For a glimpse behind the scenes and a better understanding of the theater’s history, go on the guided tour. This will take you backstage to the dressing rooms and the area beneath the stage. Ask the docent questions about the Royal Swedish Opera on this 1-hour tour.
Attend the special events that take place on certain Saturdays, including children’s shows, costume displays and art exhibits. With luck, you’ll be able to meet a musician or performer from the Royal Orchestra. Choose from ballet, opera and classical music performances in the theater’s repertoire. The 1,100-seat auditorium has a majestic ceiling painting and chandeliers.
Go for lunch amid the baroque décor and golden pillars of the upscale Restaurant Brasseriet, where icons of the stage have dined. Purchase drinks from the Strömterrassen bar, whose terrace provides excellent views of Stockholm's historic center. Refreshments are also available during performance intermissions.
Note that the opera has no formal dress code, although you may want to dress nicely to fit in with the rest of the audience. Leave any coats and bags in the cloakroom for a fee. Purchase tickets for shows from the box office, which is open Monday through Friday in the late afternoons. It opens on Saturday a little earlier.
The Royal Swedish Opera stands on the western side of the Kungsträdgården and overlooks the Norrström river in the central district of Stockholm. Take a bus to one of the nearby stops. Make sure to see other neighboring sights such as St. Jacobs Church, the Parliament House and the Museum of Medieval Stockholm.
