Swan Lake, La bohème and Orlando are some of the 55,000 performances performed at the Royal Opera House over the past 250 years.
Now centuries of history are to be interpreted by contemporary stars at the anniversary gala's special performance, which begins with us meeting the founder King Gustav the Third in 1773.
- I feel that I am a part of history that I partly carry with me and would like to develop, says world soprano Nina Stemme, who is one of the set's singers.
Anniversary in a dilapidated building
Other famous names, for example the choreographer Alexander Ekman, are behind the anniversary performance, together with singers, Swedish composers, ballet dancers, actors from Dramaten with newly written texts by Sara Stridsberg, Carina Burman and Martina Montelius.
- I've experienced my big moments here in the house, but now it's getting a little old, it really needs to be patched up, says choreographer Alexander Ekman.
He, and several others at the anniversary gala, are referring to the now five culture ministers' issue of the Royal Opera House's need for renovation.
- If I could wish for anything, it would be a new opera house.
It is so very old that we cannot make new ones and exchange performances with other operas.
There is a lot of decline behind the stage and in the lodges, says Nina Stemme.
The CEO of the Royal Opera, Fredrik Lindgren, hopes that the anniversary celebration will remind of the importance of the renovation.
- At the same time as we celebrate our history, you want to tighten the bow.
Hope that during the year we will get a new direction forward from the politicians.
See more about the anniversary celebration in the clip above.