Live shows · OPERA SHOWS
The 15 best opera shows you can book tonight, with the price of a seat, how long the show runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.
Spend one hour at the Saigon Opera House watching À Ố Show, a Vietnamese bamboo circus built around acrobatics, humor, village-to-city storytelling, and 17 folk instruments. Your ticket includes theater seating, with options that place you closer to the action or higher for a wider view.
“Beautiful performance of different aspects of Vietnam and its cultural history.”
Spend three hours at Madrid’s La Castafiore, where performing waiters sing opera and Spanish zarzuela between courses of tapas, wine, and your choice of steak or hake. Expect a friendly, interactive evening rather than a formal theater performance, with a champagne-style toast to finish.
“The experience itself was great, however, the tickets were for 8pm and the show had actually started at 7pm so we missed the first hour. That was very disappointing.”
At the Opera da Camera di Roma Hall, Italian singers and pianist Roberto recast Freddie Mercury and Queen songs as opera. Expect Handel, Indian music, audience participation, wine, and snacks in a small nineteenth-century room. The 50-minute show is hosted in English and Italian.
“A quality show from start to finish, excellent musicians, a brilliant compare and pianist, loads of humour playing songs we all love and know. The wine and snacks were a lovely and unexpected surprise to in this intimate yet lovely room.”
Board near Jane Haining rakpart at 7 pm for an approximately two-hour Danube cruise, a four-course dinner, one welcome drink, live Hungarian music, operetta singing, and folk dancing. You’ll pass Parliament, Buda Castle, the bridges, Gellért Hill, and the National Theatre.
“We chose this trip as it combined an evening river cruise where we got to see the buda castle and parliament building lit up, dinner, and a folk show. It was quite expensive but it did not disappoint.”
Book a mobile ticket to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s *The Phantom of the Opera* at His Majesty’s Theatre. The 2-hour-30-minute West End performance includes a 20-minute interval, grand sets, famous songs, and several seating options. Choose carefully, since balcony legroom and sightlines can be limited.
“Phantom of the Opera is a must see!! The performance was spectacular! The actors and actresses are incredibly talented! His Majesty Theater is beautiful and a great venue! We highly recommend!!”
At Shufeng Yayun Teahouse in Chengdu Culture Park, you’ll watch a 90-minute Sichuan opera show built around bian lian face-changing, stick puppets, masks, music, and comic stage action. Tea and snacks are included, while selected tickets add a massage, ear cleaning, dessert, souvenir, or costume experience. Andy’s team can arrange pickup.
“We booked with Andy for his company to arrange our ticket and it was seamless. I received the ticket code the day before, went to the ticket machine outside the opera and the tickets were available straight away - could not have been easier. The show itself is an experience! The face changing is very impressive but is right at the end. Tea is kept topped up and the back massage was a welcome bonus.”
At Asakusa Kyugeki, Bizet’s Carmen is reworked as Karume, an oiran in Yoshiwara. Expect about 90 minutes of Kabuki acting, opera singing, Japanese music, drums, dance, costumes, audience interaction, English subtitles, a snack, and one soft drink. Mobile tickets are accepted.
“I’ve seen the show twice, and both times I really enjoyed the experience! It’s also subtitled in English so I’m sure everyone will enjoy it. It’s a great capsule of Japanese performing arts culture.”
Meet at Palazzo Pamphilj beside Piazza Navona for a 75-minute open-air opera concert on the La Grande Bellezza rooftop. Hear professional singers perform Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, and Bellini, enjoy wine and Italian snacks, then visit Terrazza Borromini. Groups are limited to 10.
“Amazing performance - the performers were so talented, the venue was beautiful - even though it poured with rain when we got there and we had to move inside, the indoor venue was still beautiful, and the whole experience was perfect, thank you!”
At Shu Feng Ya Yun, you watch a 20:00 Sichuan Opera and folk-art performance lasting about 90 minutes. Expect famous local stage traditions, the quick-change face-changing act, complimentary tea and snacks, and optional costume dressing, massage, ear cleaning, or a theater souvenir.
“Una absoluta turistada similar a cualquier espectáculo nocturno en un hotel de medio pelo.”
At Shufeng Yayun Teahouse in Chengdu Culture Park, you’ll watch a 90-minute Sichuan Opera variety show with face changing, fire spitting, puppetry, shadow play, music, dance, and acrobatics. Tea is included, while VIP options may add front seats, snacks, massage, ear grooming, or costume photos.
“The opera is fascinating experience in Chengdu. I especially like the hand figures and the face changing. Worth a visit.”
Spend about an hour at Liyuan Theatre in Beijing watching traditional Peking Opera with English subtitles. Arrive early to see performers apply elaborate makeup and change costumes. Your $28 ticket includes the show and an English theatre guide, but not dinner, drinks, or a guide.
“The music was very very loud. But the story was nice and the fact that we could take pictures and have snacks inside.”
At Liyuan Theatre inside Qianmen Jianguo Hotel, you’ll watch a one-hour Beijing Opera performance at 19:30, with a chance to see make-up preparation beforehand. Meet staff in the hotel lobby 30 minutes early. Blue-zone tickets can include tea, snacks, and a table.
“it was somewhat special. Not something I would recommend to others to be honest.”
See Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End. Your ticket covers the 2-hour-30-minute performance, including a 20-minute interval, with grand sets, lavish costumes, famous songs, and strong dramatic effects.
Spend 90 minutes at Shu Feng Ya Yun Teahouse with Ayen’s Chengdu team, watching Sichuan Opera highlights such as face changing, fire-spitting, shadow play, gongs, and drums. Your ticket includes tea, snacks, and one choice of ear cleaning, shoulder massage, dessert, or a panda souvenir.
“lo spettacolo è molto bello, soprattutto il gioco di ombre e il cambio volto. abbiamo scelto come omaggio incluso la pulizia delle orecchie e il souvenir che è una graziosa borsa con il panda. consigliato :))”
Spend about 90 minutes at Shu Feng Ya Yun in Chengdu Culture Park, watching Sichuan opera, fire breathing, comedy, music, and the famous bian lian face changing. Advance tickets secure entry, and optional hotel pickup is available with Chinese-speaking drivers who may use a translation app.
“We booked VIP seats but were placed halfway to the back, constant obstruction by workers selling food. Face changing was barely 5 minutes at the end.Overall a so so performance”
Pick a stage, a dinner table or a dance floor.
