An Experience Not To Be Missed For Culture Seekers

A Must if Visiting Muscat - beautiful hall, excellent acoustics.

Culture seekers can revel in Oman’s burgeoning contemporary scene, with Muscat’s Royal Opera House, the Muscat Art Festival and the city’s cutting-edge architecture attracting visitors from across the globe.

Royal Opera House

Labelled “The Jewel of Muscat” since its opening in October 2011, the Royal Opera House Muscat established Oman as the epicentre of classical music in the Gulf States. Local and international concerts, as well as one-of-a-kind operas, are staged here. Recent performers have included Milan’s Teatro Alla Scala BalletCompany, London’sRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra and legendary Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo. The Opera House’s innovative main hall (1,000+ seats, 80,000 m2) possesses a unique mobile shell designed by one of the world’s leading architectural firms, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. Free tours are available in the morning (10 am) and the adjoining Galleria has a selection of great lunch or dinner options.

Bait MuznaGallery

Tucked into Muscat’s Old Town, the Bait MuznaGallery exhibits artworks by emerging contemporary Omani artists. The gallery, spread over three floors of a classically restored Omani residence, has been thriving for more than a decade. Local artists also lead art workshops inside the gallery.

Ghalyas Museum of Modern Art

The Ghalyas Museum of Modern Art, which opened in 2011, stretches throughout the rooms of a traditional mid 20th-century Omani home. In sharp contrast to its permanent onsite displays of traditional local heritage, the Ghalyas' contemporary Art Gallery showcases the works of Omani as well as dozens of international artists.The museum will be opening six new areas: this additional exhibition space will allow the museum to exhibit pieces from their permanent collection that have never been on show to the general public.

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Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om