Royal Swedish Opera architect Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz was commissioned by King Gustav III, a strong adherent of the ideal of an enlightened absolutism and as such was a great patron of the arts. The Swedish Opera company had first been located in Bollhuset, but there was a need to separate the Opera from the theatre and give them separate buildings. Construction began in 1775 and the theatre was inaugurated on 30 September 1782 with a performance of the German composer Johann Gottlieb Naumann's "Cora och Alonzo". It was also the place for public masquerade balls, events inspired from the famous opera-balls in Paris,
Cape Verdi produced minor winners in Benandonner and Salsa Verdi, both sired by Giant's Causeway and Nabucco, a stakes winner in England during 2013. 2002 Dubai Opera (USA) : Bay filly, foaled 5 March, by Dubai Millennium (GB) - Unraced, dam of winners Rebel Song (IRE)(2009, by Refuse To Bend <IRE>) and Grigolo (2012, by Shamardal <USA>) 2003 Benandonner (USA) : Chesnut colt (gelded), foaled 21 March, by Giant's Causeway (USA) - won 13 races and £148,883) from 117 starts in Britain 2006-15 2004 Salsa Verdi (USA) : Bay filly, foaled 17 April, by Giant's Causeway (USA) - won once and placed