Many-sided and colorful, Muscat delights guests of the Oman capital from the first minutes of introduction, the first glance at the bizarrely-shaped landscapes of sea cliffs, the first walk along the ancient winding streets surrounded by grand palaces, the first sounds coming from the tops of the minarets and, of course, from the aromas of oriental perfume and incense. No less than with the legacy of the past, Oman impresses with a contemporary hallmark, the embodiment of the modern Arab country, the magnificent Royal Opera House, the only theater on the Arabian Peninsula.

The gem of one of the most beautiful cities in the Arab world and one of the wonders of the East opened its broad doors in 2011, becoming the development center of Oman’s culture, a bridge between West and East. The perfect marriage of traditional Islamic architecture and the latest sound and lighting technology puts Oman Theater among the world’s best. A delicate pink mineral called the desert rose adorns the building’s magnificent sculptured facade. All the interior decoration is made in the traditional Arabian style. Despite its impressive size, worthy of a royal palace, the theater can accommodate just over 1,000 spectators. It has excellent acoustics and is the first theater in the world to be equipped with a modern interactive display system from the Italian company Radio Marconi.

On separate occasions, such world opera stars have performed at the Royal Opera House stage: the peerless American diva Renee Fleming, the Italian singer and classical music performer Andrea Bocelli, and the legendary tenor Placido Domingo. The London Philharmonic Orchestra and the American Ballet Theatre gave their performances here. The Mariinsky Theatre ballet troupe brought the Swan Lake ballet to Muscat.

Anyone can become a guest of the Royal Opera House. Still, you will have to observe a strict evening dress code, taking into account rules on revealing women’s clothing of the Arab world. But such minor details are not an obstacle to seeing the luxurious theater halls, breathing in the subtle scent of exotic woods used for interior decoration.