Mumbai’s magnificent Royal Opera House reopens to a spectacular opera performance

After a gap of 23 years, the Royal Opera House in Mumbai saw the spectacular performance -- ‘Rise up to the Gods’ at its grand opening.

Mumbai-born British soprano Patricia Rozario mesmerised the audience by her performance at milestone reopening on October 21. Rozario along with her husband performed nine songs in a powerful 30-minute show.

Those attending the relaunch was a team of conservationists who has worked hard to restore Opera House to its original glory, with the original box-frame seats and chandeliers. (Source: Express Photo by Pradip Das)

Rozario added that she had been following the plans of the Opera House renovation over the past few years. “I was excited about this news and asked various friends to try and find out who we could contact to find out more about the project, but we always drew a blank. Then out of the blue, I received an email from a friend, Sanjoy Roy, a great promoter of Indian arts around the world, introducing me to Asad Lalljee, curator of the Opera House and CEO of AVID Learning. It was like a dream come true." (Source: Express photo by Pradip Das)

After its renovation, the Royal Opera House in Mumbai relaunched with a film screening followed by Razario's performance at the venue. “For me the Opera House area was just a stop while I travelled to town by bus… I never actually visited it as we rarely went to the cinema!” Rozario told The Indian Express. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

After a puja on October 18, the curtains goes up once again in the baroque-style building for the opening night featuring a film festival on October 20 followed by an opera performance by Rozario the next day, organised by the owners of the property Maharaja Joytendrasinhji Jadeja and Maharani Kumud Kumari Jadeja. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

A team of conservationists has worked hard to restore Opera House to its original glory, with the original box-frame seats and chandeliers. According to architect Abha Lambah Narian who worked on the project, “The ceiling has been restored to the original baroque design. Help of two conservators has also been taken to restore the stained glasses and the painted panel.” (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

READ Curtain Raiser: After over 23 years, Royal Opera House will ‘Rise up to the Gods’ once again

In its new avatar, the 574-seater will include state of the art acoustics – with valuable inputs and support from HARMAN International (India) and stage craft, lighting and air conditioning. Rozario has planned a 30-minute programme of opera arias and songs with her husband Mark Troop at the piano. The exclusive event will be attended by a private audience. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Jio MAMI Film Festival with Star will hold its opening ceremony on October 20 at the newly restored Royal Opera House. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

The royal family of Gondal – the owners of the venue – have worked towards ensuring the complete restoration of this centre under the watchful eye of conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah. (Express photo by Pradip Das)

The Maharaja of Gondal VikramSinhji bought the Opera House in 1952. His son JyotendraSinhji Jadeja commissioned its restoration in 2009, which is now nearing completion. “It gives me immense pleasure to see the Royal Opera House being revived back to its original glory. The Gondal family has always been a great patron of art, culture and education. The Royal Opera House in this new avatar is our gift to the city of Mumbai." (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

READ Curtain Raiser: After over 23 years, Royal Opera House will ‘Rise up to the Gods’ once again