Egyptian Opera House overview
Egypt, Culture, 7/1/1999

Celebrating the Suez Canal's inauguration, Khedive Ismail issued an order for a Khedivian opera house to be built. The opera house came to existence after just six months of Khedive's instructions, designed by two Italian engineers in 1869, taking in consideration optical and sound theories when it was designed then.

* The old Cairo Opera House was located in downtown Cairo between two vital quarters of Cairo then, Al Azbakia and Al Ismalia.

* Khedive Ismail spent much money in decorating the Opera House, bringing to Egypt internationally-known painters, sculptures and plastic artists.

* The old Cairo Opera House was inaugurated on 1/11/1869. The inauguration was attended by Khedive Ismail, Empress Eugenie whose husband was Napoleon the third, king of Austria, and the crown prince of Prussia.

* It was a great desire of the Khedive that the opera Aida be performed as the opening performance of the Opera House. But owing to some unexpected circumstances, Rigoletto was presented instead. Both operas were composed Verdi, the great Italian opera composer.

* The number of seats at the old Cairo Opera House was 850. It was taken in consideration that any scene could be staged regardless of its size.

* On 28/10/1971 the old Cairo Opera House burnt down, and a main reason the fire spread was that it had been built out of wood. Nothing remained but two statues that were kept in El-Taliaa theater until they were moved into the new Cairo Opera House complex.

* In April 1983 President Mubarak paid a visit to Japan, when the Japanese government granted Egypt a donation to build an educational and cultural center as a sign of good relations between the two countries.

* The opening ceremony of the new Opera House took place on 10 Oct. 1988, attended by President Mubarak and Mrs. Mubarak, as well as Farouk Housni, minister of culture of Egypt.

* The new Cairo Opera House occupies 4.000 M2. The buildings occupy 13,855 M2, and its height is seven stories.

Cairo Opera House complex includes 3 main theaters:

Main Hall: Technically equipped to host Gala performances and international ensembles, its total seats number is 1,200, and it has an automated elevation base for the orchestra members.

All the material used in the building are treated against fire and accommodated with an advanced alarm system.

2- Small Hall: Its total seats are 500, its walls are designed to distribute sound and reduce echo. Small Hall performances are mainly small performances, cultural activities and forums.

3- Open Air theater: For Jazz, Pop and light Music Concerts, there are 600 seats in that theater.

In addition, the complex contains an opera art gallery, a music library, and an opera museum

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