10 of the world's most unique theater architectures.

Beyond simply offering spectacular concert experiences, opera houses also provide tourists with the opportunity to admire and explore architectural masterpieces designed by talented architects.

Whether visiting to see a concert or for sightseeing, opera houses remain popular tourist attractions, even becoming symbols of their respective countries.

Seebühne Theatre (Austria)

With its impressive and grand design, the Seebühne Theatre is considered one of the most beautiful theatres in the world. Seebühne means "sea stage" in German, and that is perhaps the most fitting name, given that the theatre was built on the shores of Lake Constance. During performances, the lake serves as an extension of the stage space.

With a capacity of over 7,000 people, Seebühne is open Monday to Friday. The Seebühne's floating stage has undergone various transformations over the years and remains one of the biggest attractions at the Bregenz festival.

Arena di Virona (Italy)

Located in Verona, Italy, the Arena di Verona was built in the 1st century, primarily to host large-scale opera performances. The theater is one of the oldest and most well-preserved structures made of white sandstone in Italy. The Arena di Verona is the third largest ancient amphitheater, after the Colosseum and the Theatre of Capua. It regularly hosted performances and events ranging from Roman lion fights and medieval horse races to modern-day open-air opera performances.

Today, the arena hosts outdoor opera performances. While seating is provided for the audience, many visitors prefer the experience of sitting on the stone steps above to relive the old days.

Auditorio de Tenerife (Spain)

Architect Santiago Calatrava's building resembles a ship with sails full of wind. Inside, the theater houses a large symphony hall and an auditorium. A highlight of the auditorium is the superb acoustics produced by 3,835 sound pipes located on either side. This modern building is considered one of Spain's most important symbols.

Ermita de la Santa Cruz Theatre (Guatemala)

The theater's foundations were laid by an ancient church, with only the facade remaining. Since 1973, this facade has served as a setting for outdoor performances. The theater has a special underground room for the orchestra, and the artists sometimes climb onto the roof during performances.

Oslo Opera House (Norway)

The theater is partially submerged and, from a distance, resembles an iceberg floating on the sea. This magnificent building, constructed of marble and glass, hosts operas and other cultural events. A striking design feature is its sloping roof rising from the waters of Oslo Fjord, creating a public plaza above. Visitors can stroll on the terrace and enjoy panoramic views of Oslo.

The building is decorated with eight art projects. Among the highlights are Olafur Eliasson's perforated wall panels and the main stage curtain, which evokes the image of embossed aluminum.

Esplanade Theatre (Singapore)

Located on the waterfront along Marina Bay, the Esplanade Theatre is Singapore's most impressive performing arts complex. The main theatre, with a capacity of 2,000 seats, is modeled after the classic horseshoe-shaped European opera house architecture and boasts the largest stage in Singapore.

Architects in Singapore designed the theater with the idea of ​​a microphone in mind; however, visitors have made some interesting associations with the place. The double domes that appeared at Marina Bay in 2002 have been compared to marshmallows, papayas, anteaters... and eventually, locals nicknamed them "durians." The theater boasts one of the best concert halls in the world in terms of acoustics.

Guangzhou Opera House (China)

The theater boasts a unique architectural design, resembling two sparkling pebbles on the banks of the Pearl River. With a seating capacity of 1,800, the main theater area is equipped with the latest sound technology, a 400-seat auditorium, a grand entrance, and various function rooms.

The interior of the theater is designed with beveled edges, sharp curves, and equipped with state-of-the-art materials such as soundproof and heat-insulating glass, stainless steel, and high-grade stone flooring. In addition, the combination with modern lighting technology creates brilliant angles and surfaces inside the theater, like a sparkling diamond.

Dalhalla Theatre (Sweden)

The theater's name is a combination of the palace of Valhalla in Norse mythology and the province of Dalarna. The stage was constructed in 1993 from an old limestone quarry. A pristine emerald-colored lake serves as the natural backdrop. The stage's sound system is on par with renowned European theaters. Each summer, the theater hosts approximately 20-30 performances. Audiences will enjoy the feeling of being in the pristine wilderness of a forest located more than 60 meters below ground level.

Downtown Albany Performing Arts Center (USA)

From a distance, the theater looks like half an egg placed on a stand. Therefore, it is also known as the Egg Theater. The theater has a total of six underground levels, including two auditoriums inside.

Sydney Opera House (Australia)

This theater is one of Australia's iconic tourist attractions. Its shell-shaped roof symbolizes a ship with sails full of wind, venturing out to sea. Architect Utzon said the design idea came to him while peeling an orange. It is said that when combined, the 14 shells of the roof form a complete sphere.

Each of the theater's large, shell-shaped roofs is made of concrete blocks and covered with millions of self-cleaning white and cream-colored tiles that sparkle in the sunlight. Colored crystal panels are embedded in the domes, making the theater's interior even more luminous and magical when bathed in sunlight. This theater was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

Huyen Chau