10 best opera houses around the world

At the world's top opera houses, the appeal isn't limited to the action on stage. The buildings are works of art themselves, says author Antoine Pecqueur. "They're another world of beauty." The Paris-based bassoonist and Le Monde contributor visited many of the performance palaces for his coffee-table book, The Most Beautiful Opera Houses in the World (Abrams, $60). He shares favorites with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Oslo Opera House
Norway
North Sea oil money helped pay for this strikingly modern marble-and-glass opera house, which opened in 2008. Each seat back has a screen offering subtitles of the performance in eight languages. The building has quickly become a city landmark. "You can walk on the roof on this theater and you have a view of the fjords and harbor. The atmosphere is just perfect," Pecqueur says.operaen.no/en/

Bolshoi Theatre
Moscow
This 19th-century building, home to both the famed ballet and opera, sits near the Kremlin and Red Square, and it once hosted assemblies of Soviet leaders. It was here the Soviet Union was proclaimed in 1922, and throughout his rule Stalin would attend the opening performance of every production. "It's the most political opera house in the world," Pecqueur says. The grand red and gold hall reopened in 2011 after an extensive renovation. bolshoi.ru/en/

Metropolitan Opera House
New York
One of the world's largest performance halls, the 3,800-seat Lincoln Center theater is also one of the grandest. The acoustics are outstanding, and Pecqueur also admires the sculptures and Marc Chagall murals. "In an opera house, it's very important you have a link between the arts," he says. 212-362-6000; metoperafamily.org

Bayreuth Festspielhaus
Germany
Composer Richard Wagner supervised the construction of this hall specifically for his operas, which are still performed here during an annual festival. The simple wood-and-brick building influences countless others because the orchestra is covered. "This is a revolutionary place," Pecqueur says. "For the audience, it's a little magical. You hear the sound, but you don't see it." bayreuther-festspiele.de

Chicago Civic Opera House
Although the timing for the building wasn't great — it opened just days after the stock market crash of 1929 — Pecqueur says the art deco edifice has aged well. The acoustic design plays to the strengths of both the singers and the orchestra. "It's a masterpiece of the time and style," Pecqueur says. 312-419-0033; civicoperahouse.com

Teatro Olimpico
Vicence, Italy
This Renaissance theater was designed by Italian architect Andrea Palladio and is still used today. The UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the late 16th century is considered an architectural masterpiece. It still contains the original faux marble stage set, which shows city streets receding in the background. "You travel in time with this building," Pecqueur says. teatrolimpicovicenza.it/en.html

Guangzhou Opera House
China
The female British-Iranian architect Zaha Hadid designed this stunning asymmetrical concrete, granite, glass and steel theater in the southern Chinese city. "It's a total wow," Pecqueur says. "It's a symbol that today the future of opera houses is in China. The sound's very rich and very perfect." gzdjy.org

Amazon Theatre
Manaus, Brazil
In the late 19th century, Brazilians, flush with money from a boom in rubber, vowed to build an opera house in this city in the middle of the rain forest. This pink belle époque building was constructed with materials imported from Italy, France and Scotland. "In Manaus you are in the heart of the Amazon, and this place you have a beautiful center. It's totally crazy," Pecqueur says. visitbrasil.com

Sydney Opera House
Australia
This shell-shaped performance space could be the most famous building of the second half of the 20th century, Pecqueur says. "It's a symbol for the opera and it's a symbol for Australia." The building was a struggle for Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who won the commission in 1957 and resigned the project before its 1973 completion. "There were many political problems, many money problems." sydneyoperahouse.com

Palais Garnier
Paris
After Napoleon III decreed a competition for this building, architect Charles Garnier won hands down, and his name is still associated with the opulent hall. The foyer's long hall of mirrors was inspired by Versailles, while others know it as the theater featured in the novel, film and musical Phantom of the Opera. "It's spectacular, a magical place," Pecqueur says. operadeparis.fr/en