The Taichung Metropolitan Opera House is scheduled to open to the public this Sunday.

The city’s Cultural Bureau says it has invited the Taiwanese folk opera group Ming Hwa Yuan for the opening charity performance as part of the opening celebration.

Taichung officials say they have already lined up a schedule of performances well into mid-December, after which the bureau will accept applications from performance groups to use the venue for free.

Ming Hwa Yuan will next give a ticketed performance on Monday, followed by shows by Paper Windmill Theatre from November 27 to 28.

There will also be a performance by Taiwan Connection musicians led by violinist Hu Nai-yuan December 7 and another by Ju Percussion Group December 13, according to officials.

Officials add that renowned dance group Cloud Gate will perform at the venue some time next year also.

The Opera House is located in the city’s Xitun District at the intersection of Huilai Road Section 2 and Shizheng North Second road, behind the Shinkong Mitsukoshi Department Store.

Designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the theatre consists of a 2,014-seat main hall and two smaller auditoriums. The project took nearly 5 years to complete at a cost of NT $4.36 billion.

Image via fcuk1203