Guided Tours, The Opera House

Welcome to the Opera House – an architectural masterpiece where history meets state-of-the-art theater magic. Step inside behind the enormous glass facades on Dokøen and experience one of the world's most advanced theater houses up close.

From Floating Roof to Sparkling Gold Ceiling
The tour begins in the breathtaking foyer. Here, the light catches the three iconic, floating light sculptures by Olafur Eliasson, while the warm maple panels of the walls evoke the feel of a classic violin. Architect Henning Larsen deliberately designed the foyer as an open and vibrant space where you can both see and be seen. Inside the auditorium itself, we look up at the spectacular ceiling, coated with no less than 24-karat gold leaf and illuminated by 2,500 small lights.

The Theater Machinery and the Six Stages
The heart of the Opera House is the enormous backstage building. Thanks to a generous gift from shipowner Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, the house is equipped with six stage areas. This means that massive stage wagons weighing tons can silently move entire sets around in an instant while the curtain is up. You will hear the story of how the 40 cm thick walls of white concrete keep the rehearsal rooms completely soundproof, allowing rehearsals and performances to take place at the same time. We also take a closer look at the gigantic orchestra pit, which has room for up to 100 musicians from the Royal Danish Orchestra – the world's oldest orchestra.

Historical Anecdotes and Theater Superstitions
A tour of the Opera House is not complete without the fantastic stories from daily life. On the tour, we share how several hundred people go to work daily in the Opera House, and you will hear fun anecdotes about theater life. Why must you absolutely never whistle on a stage? What do you do in a rush if an opera soloist falls ill shortly before curtain call, and a foreign understudy has to be flown in? And did you know that painter Erik Peitersen mixed real beer into the paint to hit the exact right green color on the foyer's large wall?

The Maritime "Takkelloftet"
We also visit the Opera House's intimate studio stage, Takkelloftet (The Rigging Loft). The name is a direct tribute to the area's past as a naval station, where workers used to splice ropes for the large sailing ships in the old days. From the foyer here, there is a unique view of historical landmarks such as the mast crane, the submarine Sælen, and the frigate Peder Skram.

Theater Lover or Just Curious? A Unique Experience Behind the Scenes Awaits You
The tour is for everyone – both those who love theater and opera, and those who are simply curious to experience a fascinating building filled with art, craftsmanship, technology, and vibrant culture.

Whether it is your first visit or you have been here many times before, you will leave with new stories, surprising insights, and an even greater understanding of life inside the beautiful opera house.

Look forward to an inspiring journey through architecture, art, and secret corridors, where you will get up close to the stage boards and the grand machinery that brings the magic to life every single day.

Welcome inside – to a house where art never stands still.
We look forward to welcoming you.

Tour Highlights:

• The foyer with Olafur Eliasson's light sculptures

• The auditorium

• The backstage and side stages

• Takkelloftet (The Rigging Loft)

Practical Information
The tour lasts 75 minutes and is conducted on the terms of the art. Rehearsals that run over time or technical work on stage may mean that the guide has to adjust the route along the way, giving you a unique and authentic insight into the active theater life of the day.

Guests are allowed to take photographs along the way for private use, but out of respect for the house's artists and technicians, employees at work may not be photographed.