Algiers Opera House

Opéra d'Alger
Opéra d'Alger
أوبرا الجزائر
General information
Type	Opera
Location	Algeria
Coordinates	36°44′14″N 2°55′49″E / 36.73716°N 2.93020°E
Construction started	2016
Owner	Ministry of Culture and Arts
Technical details
Material	Marble, Glass
Floor count	2
Website
	operaalger.com.dz

Algiers Opera House- Boualem Bessaïh is an opera house in Ouled Fayet, Algiers, Algeria. It was built in 2016 by the Chinese government. The former opera house is the Algerian National Theater Mahieddine Bachtarzi. It has a seating capacity of 1,400 and serves as a cultural hub for performing arts in Algeria. The facility was developed by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and is home to several prominent artistic groups, including the Algerian Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet, and the Andalusian Music Ensemble.^[1]^[2]

In addition to hosting performances, the opera house offers training programs in various cultural disciplines such as singing and choreography, as well as technical fields like lighting, sound engineering, and stage management.

The opera's first concert took place in 2016, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Amine Kouider. The event marked the official opening of the venue and was attended by numerous national and international dignitaries. The program included a blend of Algerian traditional music and classical masterpieces, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Algeria alongside global musical treasures.^[3]

Description

Opera of Algiers is a key component of a large cultural complex located at the northern entrance of Ouled Fayet, a western suburb of Algiers. The complex also includes a grand performance hall with a seating capacity of approximately 12,000, situated along the national highway connecting Algiers to Tipaza.

This cultural hub is notable for being the first opera house in the Maghreb region and the fifth in the Arab world, following the Egyptian Opera House, Damascus Opera House, Royal Opera House Muscat, and Dubai Opera.^[4]

Architectural Design and Facilities:

The opera's design features a blend of Maghrebi architecture with modern and minimalist elements. Its spacious marble foyer and spiral staircases create an elegant atmosphere. The main performance hall, with its 1,400 red seats, is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including:

A ballet rehearsal hall
Piano practice rooms
Offices
Two parking areas
Additional amenities

The opera's two expansive balconies provide excellent viewing angles for performances. The modern stage is equipped with advanced mechanisms, allowing it to move vertically by several meters, enhancing the versatility of performances and easing the work of artists and technicians.^[5]

Etymology

Boualem Bessaïh, Algeria's most prominent man.

The Opera of Algiers was officially named Boualem Bessaïh Opera during its inauguration by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Boualem Bessaïh, who passed away on July 28, 2016, was a prominent Algerian figure, serving the country in various capacities from the revolution era until his death.

Bessaïh was a freedom fighter, politician, literature professor, and Doctor of Literature and Humanities. He played a significant role during the Algerian War of Independence, serving as a member of the General Secretariat of the National Council of the Algerian Revolution from 1959 to 1962.

After Algeria gained independence, Bessaïh held several diplomatic positions, serving as an ambassador in key European and Arab capitals, including the Vatican, Egypt, Kuwait, and Morocco. In 1971, he was appointed Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.^[6]

In 1979, Bessaïh entered government service, holding ministerial portfolios such as Minister of Information, Minister of Post and Telecommunications, and Minister of Culture. In 1988, he became Minister of Foreign Affairs, actively participating in the Algeria-Morocco-Saudi Arabia Tripartite Committee, which contributed to the Taif Agreement that ended the Lebanese Civil War.^[7]

In 1997, Bessaïh was appointed to the Council of the Nation as part of the presidential third and later became Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the upper house of parliament. Following his tenure as Algeria’s ambassador to Morocco, he was appointed President of the Constitutional Council in September 2005 by the President of the Republic.

Launching

Opera of Algiers was inaugurated by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. At the beginning of his visit, the President unveiled the inauguration plaque at the entrance of the main hall. Following this, President Bouteflika, accompanied by former Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, toured the various facilities of the opera house, which spans an area of 35,000 square meters. The complex includes a concert hall, and Bouteflika attended a musical performance by the Algerian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Amine Kouider.^[8]