UPDATE 4th September: With the eagerly awaited opening of Dubai Opera this month, there’s something for all tastes in its first month!
Mozart Gala
Performed by Vienna Concert Verein, Mozart Gala at Dubai Opera is a gala evening of magnificent arias from Mozart’s most famous operas and orchestral favourites including EinekleineNachtmusik. On Friday 23rd, ticket prices are Dhs 300, Dhs 500, Dhs 700 and Dhs 900.
The Barber of Seville
Considered one of the greatest comic operas ever composed, The Barber of Seville is from 2nd to 4th September. The story centres on the adventures of Count Almaviva as he courts the lovely Rosina in spite of her jealous guardian’s attempts to stop him. Of course, he would never have succeeded without the help of scheming barber Figaro! Ticket prices are Dhs 350, Dhs 550, Dhs 750 and Dhs 950.
Opera Without Words
Without the human voice there would be no such thing as opera, but the orchestra provides the pulse that makes an opera breathe. The greatest opera composers have always written as well for instruments as for voices. In the process they have created magnificent orchestral pieces that have taken on a life of their own and this collection brings together Italian Opera’s most beautiful. On Monday 5th September, tickets are priced at Dhs 300, Dhs 500, Dhs 700 and Dhs 900.
Giselle
Performed by The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia, Giselle is considered one of the great romantic ballets of all time. Giselle was first performed in Paris in 1841 and focuses on the love of a peasant girl who dies of a broken heart after discovering her lover is betrothed to another. On Friday 16th, ticket prices are Dhs 350, Dhs 550, Dhs 750 and Dhs 950.
Coppélia
Performed by the Russian State Ballet and the Orchestra of Siberia and set to Léo Delibes’ beautiful score, Coppélia is a captivating and entertaining family ballet based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Dr Coppélius is an eccentric toymaker who has built a life-sized doll, Coppélia, and daydreams of her coming to life. Running from Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th, ticket prices are Dhs 350, Dhs 550, Dhs 750 and Dhs 950.
The Pearl Fishers
The Pearl Fishers, written by Georges Bizet and performed by Fondazione Teatro Lirico ‘Giuseppe Verdi’, Trieste, the story is set in ancient times on the island of Ceylon. It centres around two friends, who vow to never let the love of a woman come between them and destroy their friendship. From Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd, ticket prices are Dhs 350, Dhs 550, Dhs 750 and Dhs 950.
Impossible
Impossible features the world’s best illusionists live on stage in a magic spectacular that will thrill and amaze audiences of all ages. Fusing death-defying stunts, technological trickery, grand stage illusions and close-up magic in a fast-paced breath-taking performance, the show runs from 26th to 29th, tickets are priced at Dhs 250, Dhs 450, Dhs 650 and Dhs 850.
Postcards From Vienna
Performed by Vienna Concert Verein, Postcards From Vienna will take you on a journey through time back to the days of Imperial Vienna with world famous Viennese waltzes, marches and polkas from Austrian composers. On Thursday 22nd, ticket prices are Dhs 300, Dhs 500, Dhs 700 and Dhs 900.
Visit www.dubaiopera.com for more information.
So much more than opera, Dubai Opera will be the centre stage of all arts, and a home to all genres. From ballet and classical, through to musicals and theatre, comedy, family, rock, pop and jazz - get ready to be truly captivated.
Dubai Opera, the city’s first purpose-built multi-format performing arts theatre situated in the heart of Downtown Dubai, will celebrate its first performance this autumn with a concert by legendary Spanish tenor, conductor and art administrator Plácido Domingo.
Described as the ‘King of Opera,’ and the ‘greatest operatic artist of modern times,’ Domingo has sung over 4,000 performances of 147 roles in addition to conducting more than 500 performances. He is named by the Guinness Book of Records for the size of his repertoire and for having received 101 curtain calls after a performance - Verdi’s Otello at the Vienna State Opera.
The Domingo concert will be followed with the soul-stirring historic opera, The Pearl Fishers. The three-act opera by the French composer Georges Bizet, to a libretto by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré, serves as an ode to the rich heritage of Dubai, with its history seeped in adventurous pearl-diving expeditions by its people.
First performed in 1863, The Pearl Fishers narrates the story of two men’s promise of eternal friendship that is tested by their love for the same woman. The highlight of the opera, The Pearl Fishers Duet is among the best-known in Western opera. The Pearl Fishers, which has enticed opera lovers the world over for its lyrical quality, will be performed by Fondazione Teatro Lirico ‘Giuseppe Verdi, Trieste’.
Opera lovers will be further enthralled with the masterpiece comedy by Gioachino Rossini, The Barber of Seville. Set to an Italian libretto by Cesare Sterbini, based on the French comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais, the opera buffa in two acts marked its debut in 1816, and will be performed by Fondazione Teatro Lirico ‘Giuseppe Verdi, Trieste’.
Other highlights during the year also include, Opera without Words, an evening of Italian Opera’s greatest overtures and interludes performed by Fondazione Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, Trieste and conducted by Francesco Quattrocchi. It brings the magnificent orchestral pieces by the greatest opera composers that have taken on a life of their own.
Giselle performed by The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia, is considered as one of the great Romantic ballets. It was first performed in 1841 and focuses on the love of a peasant girl who dies of a broken heart after discovering her lover is betrothed to another.
Also by The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia, Coppelia is set to Leo Delibes’ beautiful score. It is a captivating and entertaining family ballet based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann about an eccentric toymaker who has built a life-sized doll, Coppélia, and daydreams of her coming to life.
Dubai Opera comes alive to the strains of the Mozart Gala performed by Vienna Concert Verein followed by Postcards from Vienna, and then will host Impossible, described as the ‘most dangerous show’ the city has ever seen. It features the world’s best illusionists live on stage in a magic spectacular that will thrill and amaze audiences of all ages.
It will then welcome on stage the renowned Catalan tenor, José Carreras, who celebrates ‘A Life in Music,’ his final world tour. One of the Three Tenors along with Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, Carreras is highly acclaimed for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini.
The music fest continues with Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi followed by the unmatched brilliance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons featuring Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante. Spain’s foremost Flamenco superstar, Sara Baras, comes to Dubai Opera with Voces, Suite Flamenca, a show that pays tribute to six flamenco luminaries. Directed, staged and choreographed by the versatile artist Baras, it has gained international acclaim for its exhilarating music.
Sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar who has five Grammy Award nominations and is the youngest, and first female, recipient of a British House of Commons Shield, brings her 2016 work, Land of Gold, focusing on the refugee crisis in the world.
Discover the world of Bejart Ballet Lausanne, which brings Ballet for Life and a Ballet Gala of Seven Greek Dances, Piaf and Bolero, a masterpiece by Maurice Bejart. Audiences can also watch the acclaimed show, The Nutcracker on Ice featuring the Imperial Ice Stars. Set against a backdrop of colourful scenes and projections, opulent costumes, magic tricks and special effects, the cast of World, European and National Championship level skaters dance to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.
Multi-award winning international sensation, Slava’s Snowshow will come to Dubai Opera over the Festive Season. It is a universal and timeless theatrical poetic spectacle that has unanimously enchanted and empowered the imagination of audiences around the world. Experience a joyous dream-like world that culminates in a breath-taking blizzard leaving audiences literally knee deep in snow.
Further performances including a number of high profile names and productions will be announced in due course. Visit www.dubaiopera.com.