THE DROTTNINGHOLM OPERA – STOCKHOLM

KIRKER MUSIC HOLIDAYS
THE DROTTNINGHOLM OPERA – STOCKHOLM
A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 22 AUGUST 2016
Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Drottningholm Court Theatre to celebrate its 250th anniversary
We are pleased to be presenting our first tour to the Drottningholm Opera this summer.
A performance at the beautiful early 17th century opera house is unforgettable and provides an experience quite unlike any other.
The theatre is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Mälaren, right next to the Royal Palace of Drottningholm which is today
the permanent residence of King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
The first theatre was destroyed by a fire in 1762 but Queen Lovisa Ulrika was
immediately determined to have it rebuilt, and the current theatre opened in
1766. The queen gave the theatre to her son Gustavus III, but after
the king’s assassination while attending a masked ball at the Royal
Swedish Opera on 16 March 1792, it fell into disuse and lay
forgotten for 200 years. The theatre was used to store logs for the
Royal Family and was only rediscovered in 1921 when two royal
children went exploring inside.
Today, the theatre remains exactly as it was when it was first
built, and the original stage machinery and many sets are still
in use – only electricity was added, but as all the bulbs produce a
constant, flickering light the effect is of candlelight. With its original
colours, papier mâché walls and stucco, the Court Theatre feels more
Stockholm Harbour
authentically 18th century than any other theatre.
The itinerary
The OPERA
We fly to Stockholm and transfer to the 4* superior First Reisen
where we stay for the duration of the tour. Beautifully located
overlooking the harbour, the hotel has a welcoming atmosphere, and there
are superb views from the bars and restaurant. Bedrooms are comfortably
furnished.
We will attend a performance of Don Giovanni by Mozart on 25 August.
We hope also to be able to arrange an optional performance at the Royal
Swedish Opera – the programme will be announced in April and we will
then be in touch with everyone who has booked.
Swedish opera singers have dominated the world of international opera
for 100 years and many of them still find time in their diaries to return to
sing at the house which launched their careers.
The first opera house in Stockholm was built in 1771. It was here that
the opera-loving King Gustav III was shot by an assassin in his own opera
house on 16 March 1792 at a masked ball, an event which is familiar to
opera lovers from Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera.
Today’s building, in neo-Renaissance style was opened in 1898. It is the
home of both the Royal Swedish Opera and Royal Swedish Ballet,
seating 1,100 people The Opera House is a prominent landmark in the
city and has a commanding positon overlooking Stockholm’s harbour.
DAY
1
We begin our stay in Stockholm with a panoramic sightseeing tour
followed by a walk through the Old Town, Gamla Stan, with its
mediaeval maze of narrow streets. We then go to the Royal Palace with
its commanding views of the harbour. The day ends with a short cruise
around the more than 30,000 islands of Stockholm’s archipelago.
DAY
2
Today we will visit the Academy of Fine Arts and the Design
Museum at the Kulturhuset Stadtsteater. Next as a complete
contrast we go to the VASA Museum. Here we learn about the dramatic
events of 1628 when, after a two-year construction period,VASA set out
on her maiden voyage with 300 people on board, and after just 1,300
metres sank in Stockholm harbour. It was not until 1961 that VASA was
raised from the seabed. Today, we can enjoy the ship in its full glory.
DAY
3
Today is free until late afternoon when we will travel from the
centre of Stockholm to Drottningholm by boat, by far the nicest
way to arrive there. We will visit the palace and the romantic Chinese
Pavilion, and have a tour of the theatre. Dinner will be served before the
performance in the restaurant at Drottningholm.
DAY
4
Today we will go to Ulriksdal Palace, which is located within
the broad expanse of the National City Park. We will visit the
palace, the Orangery and the exquisite 18th century rococo theatre,
Confidencen.
DAY
5
DAY
6
We drive to the airport after breakfast.
Drottningholm Palace
Flight Information
Flights with British Airways
Depart London Heathrow 11.25, arrive Stockholm Arlanda 14.55
Depart Stockholm Arlanda 12.15, arrive London Heathrow 14.05
Price £1,995 per person (single supp. £398) for five
nights including return flights, accommodation with
breakfast, three dinners, one ticket for the performance
at Drottningholm, all sightseeing, entrance fees and
gratuities and the services of the Kirker Tour Lecturer.
www.kirkerholidays.com
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