A soprano's eye view of futuristic, dramatic and ornate opera houses

1. Guangzhou Opera House, Guangzhou, China, 2014

This Zaha Hadid building was finished in 2010. New York Times critic Nicolai Ouroussoff noted: “Stepping into the main hall is like entering the soft insides of an oyster. Seats are arranged in a slightly asymmetrical pattern, enveloping the stage on three sides, with undulant balconies cascading down in front of the stage." Photo: © David Leventi

2. Teatro Regio, Turin, Italy, 2010

This 1970s modernist building replaced the 18th century original which was destroyed by fire in 1936. The chandelier holds 1,762 rods containing light bulbs as well as 1,900 reflective elements. Photo: © David Leventi

3. Opéra Nouvel, Lyon, France, 2014

Architect Jean Nouvel was responsible for refurbishing the original 19th century theatre. He retained many of the building’s classical facades, but largely replaced its interiors and doubled its height with the addition of a soaring, semicircular drum roof. Glazed at either end, the addition introduces a decidedly modern element to the traditional building. Photo: © David Leventi

4. Curtain, Palais Garnier, Paris, France, 2009

The theatre's interiors epitomise the grandeur of the Belle Époque, writes Thomas Mellins. The stage’s outer trompe l’oeil painted curtain was created by theatre designers Philippe Chaperon and Auguste Rubé. Photo: © David Leventi

5. Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, Valencia, Spain, 2014

At 246 feet high, this is the world's tallest opera house. It is part of the 'City of Arts and Sciences', which includes a symphony hall, museum, botanical garden and planetarium. Photo: © David Leventi

6. Den Norske Opera og Ballett, Oslo, Norway, 2008

The modernist, oculus-like, circular chandelier which dominates the auditorium comprises 5,800 handcrafted crystals that not only provide illumination, but also diffuse sound throughout the hall. Photo: © David Leventi

7. Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Spain, 2009

Thomas Mellins writes: "The auditorium receives ample natural daylight, much of which enters through arched stained-glass windows as well as a stained-glass sky-light (surrounding a ceiling-mounted light fixture) designed by Antoni Rigalt i Blanch." Photo: © David Leventi

8. Teatro di San Carlo, Naples, Italy, 2009

The theatre was rebuilt in 1816 after fire destroyed the original 1737 building, writes Thomas Mellins. "The reconstructed theatre incorporated a Giuseppe Cammarano ceiling fresco depicting the gods Apollo and Minerva with some of history’s greatest poets." Photo: © David Leventi

9. The Metropolitan Opera, New York, United States, 2008

Thomas Mellins writes: "Twenty-five crystal chandeliers, donated by the Austrian government in gratitude for American support in rebuilding the Staatsoper in Vienna following World War II, were designed to mechanically rise during performances so as to not obstruct views of the stage. The 24-carat gold-leafed ceiling reputedly required so much gold that weekly quotas were imposed so as to not adversely affect other businesses requiring the material." Photo: © David Leventi

10. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, Canada, 2011

"To insulate the theatre from noise and vibrations, it rests on a foundation of 489 rubber pads," writes Thomas Mellins. "Seating in the acoustically exemplary theatre, which has sound-absorbing hardwood floors and plastered gypsum walls, is arranged so that no seat is farther than ninety-eight feet from the centre of the stage." Photo: © David Leventi