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The new OPERAEN (Copenhagen Opera), located on the island of Holmen in Copenhagen's harbourfront, is a 440 million dollar gift to the nation from Maersk McKinney Møller, veteran chairman of Denmark's biggest industrial group, the oil and shipping concern Møller-Maersk. It is one of the most modern opera houses in the world, and is built with the future in mind.
An impressive 14 story structure (five underground), dominated by expansive glass frontages and faced in beige-coloured Jura stone, it is located on the former naval base on Holmen Island, looking directly over the water to Amalienborg Palace, the royal residence and dome of the Marble Church. The focal point of the new opera house is the large floating roof with its 32-metre long cantilever covering the four storey curved foyer, with an arrival plaza overlooking the harbour. The design has already won numerous awards. The 1400 seatmain auditorium has six rotating stages and a smaller studio stage. The top floor restaurants and terraces hold stunning views over the Copenhagen waterfront.
Danish architect Henning Larsen designed the opera house, with interior decoration by Per Arnoldi, Per Kirkeby and Olafur Eliasson. Inside the main Theatre, none of the maple panels are the same dimensions, but were individually carved in a way that promotes the enhancement of the acoustics.
The public areas contain modern works by many artists, including breath-taking light sculptures in the main foyer. These are composed of a lot of small glass pieces, forming spheres, and are lit from inside by hundreds of small lights. The total wood/light effect changes throughout the day.
The new house is already considered and architectural and acoustical masterwork. The house was inagurated in January 2005 by Mr. Maersk McKinney
