Cultural experiences like opera and musicals aren’t exclusively highbrow. Seeing a live performance can be thrilling and powerful, combining dramatic narrative, music, and stagecraft in one. Read on to find out which cultural experiences around the world you should book ahead for, and which venues are worth experiencing at least once in your life.
The magical
Love stories with dark twists and the grace of its dancers—we are talking about ballet. One of the greatest and oldest performance houses in the world is no doubt the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow—known for grand classical performances like Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, and easily reached from the Radisson Blu Olympiyskiy Hotel, Moscow, which offers panoramic skyline views for its spacious rooms and suites. The Paris Opera Ballet at Palais Garnier has also churned out world-class dancers, who showcase their talents in classic ballets like Giselle and Raymonda. Top tip: Stay at our elegant Champs-Elysées hotel and get to your seats in just 10 minutes!
The emotive
The sheer range of the human voice makes opera the most emotive cultural experience. Your go-to is the Vienna Opera, with its stunning, Renaissance-style architecture. Tickets go fast, especially for big shows, so it’s worth jumping on the bandwagon when a show comes up, and of course, getting there early to take in the stunning interiors—no problem when your hotel in Vienna is just a ten-minute walk away!
In Oslo, some of the best seats in the house are not what you would expect, as the futuristic opera house features a marble roof that you can sit on. You might want to go indoors for Peter Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker in November and December, before heading back to your stylish hotel in Oslo—with a bar designed by the famed design firm behind the opera itself!
The dramatic
If you love the theater, there’s no option for you but to catch a show in London’s lively West End, home to some of the best musicals in the world. The most famous—read glitziest—street here is Shaftesbury Avenue, as it has six theaters. Beyond that, The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre, and Fiddler on The Roof have regular shows at Playhouse Theatre, in walking distance to the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Berkshire Hotel or the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Bloomsbury Street Hotel—but that’s just a handful of the 10 hotels in London you have to choose from!
If you’re in Germany, the musical metropolis that is Hamburg shouldn’t be missed, with its charming, harbor-side theater.
The electric
Have you ever experienced a real Broadway show? Experience a night on Broadway in Minneapolis. The city has established itself as a top stop for this with several beautiful, historic theaters that host magical performances. Three of the most popular—the Orpheum, State, and Pantages theaters—are located just a short walk from the Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown in the Hennepin Avenue Theater District. Plus, the renowned Guthrie Theater and large venues such as Target Center and US Bank Stadium are also nearby.