Royal Opera House :

It is hardly possible to speak of the favors bestowed on Egypt by King Khedive Ismaeil, known as "the great", without recalling the Royal Opera House. This opera house was indeed one of the great memorials to the spirit of modernization that moved him, and to his aim of bringing to his country an atmosphere of modernity and modern civilization covering all aspects of science, education and culture.
In 1869, Khedive Ismaeil gave an order to build an opera house in order to be ready on the date of the inauguration of Suez Canal. It was formally known as the Khedivial (Royal) Opera House. Two architects, Avoscani and Rosi, put the design of the Royal Opera House. It was erected, mainly of wood, within a short period of six months; it had the capacity of 850 persons.
The story of the famous Opera "Aida" was chosen from the ancient Egyptians history, to be acted as the first opera of which Verdi was the musical composer. The Khedive Ismaeil took the excellent opportunity of the inauguration to invite to Egypt the kings and queens of Europe. However, performing the opera was postponed to the 24th of December due to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war, and Rigoletto for the same composer was presented at the opening ceremony of the Royal Opera House instead. However, at its world premiere in Cairo on December 24th, 1871, AIDA was a sensational success. It received a triumphant reception and since then it has been a favorite here in Cairo, as it is throughout the world to this day.

In the early morning of 1971, the great Royal Opera House was burned down, due to an electrical upset. Being made almost entirely from wood, it turned into ashes within a few hours.
Nothing was left except two statues made by the Egyptian artist Mohammed Hassan (1892-1961).

Cairo Opera House :

During the visit of the Egyptian President Hosni Moubarak to Japan in April 1983, the Japanese government decided to give Egypt a donation for building the Cairo Opera House. In May 1985, the building process was on the go and was accomplished in approximately 3 years. After 17 years from the date of the burning of the original Royal Opera House, the new Cairo Opera House was launched on October 10th 1988.

On the event of opening the New Cairo Opera House, a joint Egyptian-Japanese program was premeditated for the first ten days. Egypt organized song recitals, musical and dancing performances, while Japan presented its famous "Kabuki" theatre, as well as other theatrical and dancing groups. These were followed by a number of performances OF foreign groups. Many foreign countries had in fact, participated either with ballet performances, musical or theatrical shows.
** For more information about Cairo Opera House and its daily programs Please visit :

http://www.operahouse.gov.eg/operahouse/default.htm

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