Tour at The Opera House (Danish)

You don’t have to be an opera fan to join a guided tour of the Opera House. But consider yourself warned – there’s a chance you’ll become one by the time the tour is over. Behind the enormous glass façades on Dokøen lies one of the world’s most advanced theatres, as well as a workplace unlike any other.

A golden ceiling, beer in the paint, and no whistling. None!

Our guided tours of the Opera House last 75 minutes, which is just enough time to take it all in. From the beautiful architecture and winding backstage corridors to all the anecdotes.

We always start in the grand foyer, where our knowledgeable guide and Olafur Eliasson’s floating light sculptures welcome you. From there, we enter the maple-clad auditorium, where 2,500 lamps and a ceiling covered in 24-carat gold leaf illuminate the Main Stage, the orchestra pit and its iconic blue seats.

We then head behind the scenes to the enormous backstage area, where six different stage sections, 40 cm-thick concrete walls, multi-tonne stage wagons and rehearsal rooms on several levels form the domain of the artists and stage technicians. Along the way, you’ll also hear some of the many anecdotes that are as much a part of the Opera House as the paint mixed with beer that artist Erik Peitersen used to achieve just the right shade of green on the wall leading into the auditorium.

And when we conclude the tour at the Opera House’s intimate “little sister stage”, Takkelloftet, you’ll also know why you should never, ever, EVER whistle inside the Opera House.

During the tour, you’ll get to experience, among other things:

• The foyer with Olafur Eliasson’s light sculptures

• The auditorium with its orchestra pit, golden ceiling and impressive stage

• The backstage and side-stage areas

• Takkelloftet

The tour lasts 75 minutes and takes place on the terms of the performing arts. This means that extended rehearsals or technical work on stage may require the guide to adjust the route along the way. At the same time, this gives you a unique and highly authentic insight into the theatrical life that unfolds inside the Opera House every single day.

You are welcome to take photographs during the tour for private use, but out of respect for the artists and technicians working in the building, we ask that you refrain from photographing them.

The tour is conducted in Danish.