ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
1. Dome
The ceiling is marked by advanced acoustics, and its intricate dome serves as a tribute to musicians, novelists, poets, as well as dramatists such as William Shakespeare.
The interior dome, a tribute to famed artists
2. Façade
A detailed frieze, carved pediment, coloured-glass fanlight windows as well as stone-bracketed balconies characterize – and add to the charm of – the imposing façade of Mumbai’s Royal Opera House.
3. Auditorium
The Royal Opera House, with its restored balcony boxes and modern light and sound systems, is a grand performance venue. The auditorium has a capacity of 574, and is segmented into three tiers.
The refitted 574-seat auditorium
4. Foyer
Enhancing the old-world appeal of the opera house, the foyer is decorated with stately marble statues, beautiful Minton tile-work and 19th-century chandeliers.
5. Sans Souci
A pair of elaborate crystal chandeliers, the Sans Souci, hang in the foyer of the Royal Opera House. Donated by Baghdadi trader David Sassoon’s family, these were once part of their private collection.
6. Talkie Days
Films had been screened at the Royal Opera House from 1917, but it only became a cinema hall in 1935 when film and newsreel company British Pathé rented it. The age of films also led to new flooring, doors, and tiles, as well as the covering up of opera boxes near the stage to enable its use as a single-screen cinema.
7. Notable Performances
Over the years, many notable entertainers such as actor-director Prithviraj Kapoor, Marathi singer Bal Gandharva, Lata Mangeshkar, and Mumbai-born British soprano Patricia Rozario and her husband, pianist Mark Troop, have performed here.
8. Ownership Changes
The building was conceived in 1908 as an opera venue by entertainer Maurice Bandmann and coal baron Jehangir Framji Karaka. It was used as a theatre by Ideal Pictures from 1935, until 1952, when it was leased to the maharaja (ruler) of Gondal. Although the opera house closed down in 1980 (with the exception of an event in 1993), it remained with the family and underwent a long restoration, finally reopening in 2016.
9. Restoration Project
The seven-year restoration project of this Grade II Heritage Structure was aimed at restoring the Baroque interiors and the grand façade. It has attempted to bring back the magnificence of this early 20th-century building and revive its position as a cultural hub.
10. The Quarter
Inside the old-world opera house is a multi-purpose venue with a café, an outdoor restaurant, a cocktail bar and jazz space. Started in 2017, The Quarter has earned a name for itself, hosting greats such as British saxophonist Sean Freeman, composer Loy Mendonsa, and the Grammy-winning Tuareg rock band Tinariwen.
PERFORMING ARTS IN MUMBAI
Art and culture has always held a high place in the ethos of the city since the time of the British Raj. Once strictly the foray of India’s colonial rulers and of a few members of the Indian (often Parsi) elite, performing arts have become indispensable since then. Whether hosted at one of NCPA’s theatres or the Royal Opera House, music, dance, theatre, and comedy events feature regularly in Mumbai’s art scene. Over time, the more traditional venues have evolved to include modern spaces such as The Habitat, where one can find delectable food to go along with the performance experience, or the Canvas Laugh Club, where stand-up acts are a fairly routine occurrence.
Street view of the imposing Royal Opera House
TOP 10 ARTS VENUES
3. Homi Bhabha Auditorium
4. Jeff Goldberg Studio
5. Godrej Dance Theatre, NCPA
6. Little Theatre, NCPA
7. Nehru Science Centre
8. Canvas Laugh Club
9. Andheri Base
10. Tata Theatre
