World’s Top 5 Opera Houses, Americas Edition
Previously, we explored the world’s top 5 opera houses in Europe. At that time, I thought introducing just those in Europe was sufficient. After all, the buildings are beautiful, and the performances of the compositions we often hear and learn about took place there. However, just as the most famous opera house in the world is located in Sydney, Australia, I couldn’t skip introducing those from other continents. Therefore, this time, let’s take a look at the world’s top 5 opera houses, Americas edition. I hope you enjoy reading it!
United States Los Angeles, Walt Disney Concert Hall
The first of the world’s top 5 opera houses to introduce is the Walt Disney Concert Hall, familiar to us as well. This opera house is located in Los Angeles, United States, and boasts a curved structure that resembles flowing silver water. Thanks to this, it harmonizes smoothly with the relatively older buildings nearby. The work was created by the renowned architect Frank Gehry and can accommodate 2,260 audience members at once. The Walt Disney theater has various halls, but among them, the open-stage one is said to be the most impressive.
United States New York, Metropolitan Opera House
The second of the world’s top 5 opera houses to introduce is the Metropolitan in New York, United States. It is introduced as a must-visit place when visiting New York, where you can enjoy splendid dances, arts, and plays. This opera house has hosted world-renowned figures like Carmen since the past and can accommodate 3,800 people at a time. The Metropolitan Opera House, which opened in 1966, is also a venue where many famous musicians, including Placido Domingo, have performed. Additionally, it is famous for its Swarovski crystal chandeliers and murals by Marc Chagall.
United States New Mexico, Santa Fe Opera House
The third of the world’s top 5 opera houses is the Santa Fe Opera House in New Mexico, United States. This opera house is unique as it is an open-air venue, allowing audiences to enjoy performances under the starry sky. It opened in 1957 and can accommodate 2,128 people at once. Every year from June to August, it hosts various opera festivals, and the surrounding mountains and desert landscapes blend with the performances to create a unique atmosphere.
Brazil, Amazonas Opera House
The fourth of the world’s top 5 opera houses is the Amazonas Opera House in Brazil. Located in Manaus, Brazil, this opera house was built in 1896 during the rubber boom era. It is famous for its Renaissance-style architecture and luxurious interior decorations. Materials were imported from Europe, including Italian marble and French chandeliers. It can accommodate 701 people at once and is also known as the filming location for the movie “Fitzcarraldo.”
Argentina, Teatro Colón
The last of the world’s top 5 opera houses is the Teatro Colón in Argentina. Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, this opera house opened in 1908 and is renowned for its excellent acoustics and luxurious interior. It was designed by Italian architects and can accommodate 2,487 people at once. Additionally, the world-famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti praised the acoustics of this opera house as perfect.
By limiting the continent to the Americas, three out of the world’s top 5 opera houses turned out to be in the United States. As mentioned before, please read it for enjoyment and think, “Oh, there are opera houses like this too,” to make the content a bit more informative. This makes me wonder if the Sydney Opera House in Australia should be limited to Oceania or introduced along with Asia. Introducing it with Asia might frequently mention China, which is a bit concerning, but I hope to return with useful information and conclude here!