The upcoming season, which kicks off in September, will feature internationally acclaimed productions, including Aida, Giselle, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The season’s extensive offerings will showcase more than 1,000 performers, providing something for every taste, from classical masterpieces to contemporary shows.

“We are delighted to return with an inclusive season that offers something for everyone,” shared Paolo Petrocelli, Head of Dubai Opera. “After an exceptional 2023/2024 season, we look forward to once again welcoming the community with a mix of dynamic and renowned performances.”

Highlights of Dubai Opera’s 2024-2025 Lineup

Some of the major performances include iconic operas such as Aida and Eugene Onegin, along with classical ballet performances like Giselle and The Nutcracker. Concerts by Carla Bruni, Umberto Tozzi, and Gustavo Santaolalla are set to captivate music lovers, while contemporary dance and musical theatre productions, including Romeo & Juliet Suite and Singin’ in the Rain, add to the diversity of the program.

Dubai Opera’s strategic partnerships play a vital role in bringing these world-class productions to the stage. Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of Arts and Literature at Dubai Culture, said: “The Dubai Opera 2024-2025 season celebrates the emirate’s creative spirit and cultural diversity. It serves as a platform for artists to showcase their talents to a broad audience.”

New Collaborations and Strategic Initiatives

In addition to its cultural programming, Dubai Opera has partnered with American Express Middle East, naming it the “Official Payments Partner” for the season. This collaboration will offer American Express Card Members exclusive access to select performances, creating unique experiences for cardholders. Mazin Khoury, CEO of American Express Middle East, commented, “We are excited to offer our Card Members priority access to these world-class performances, enhancing their experience through exclusive benefits.”

Aligned with Dubai’s broader economic goals, including the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the new season will contribute significantly to the emirate’s cultural landscape. As Dubai Opera celebrates its 8th year, the lineup promises to further solidify the city’s reputation as a global cultural destination.

With a blend of classical, contemporary, and innovative performances, Dubai Opera’s 2024-2025 season is expected to draw diverse audiences and make a lasting cultural and economic impact on the region.

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A World-Class Venue

Dubai Opera is renowned for its stunning architecture and state-of-the-art facilities, making it the perfect venue for a wide variety of performances. Located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, this iconic venue hosts everything from opera and ballet to concerts and theatre. This summer, Dubai Opera continues its tradition of excellence with a program that caters to diverse tastes and preferences.

Highlights of the Summer Season

1. West End Musicals

Overview

Dubai Opera will be graced by some of the best musicals straight from London’s West End. These productions bring the magic of theatre to life with their spectacular sets, talented casts, and unforgettable music.

Featured Shows

• “The Phantom of the Opera”: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical returns to Dubai, offering a mesmerizing experience with its haunting score and dramatic story.
• “Les Misérables”: Witness the epic tale of passion, redemption, and revolution in 19th century France through one of the world’s most beloved musicals.

2. Classical Ballet

Overview

Ballet aficionados are in for a treat as Dubai Opera presents stunning performances by world-class ballet companies. These productions showcase the beauty and grace of classical dance, featuring timeless stories and exquisite choreography.

Featured Performances

• “Swan Lake”: The quintessential ballet, performed by a renowned ballet company, promises an enchanting evening with its breathtaking artistry.
• “The Nutcracker”: A delightful production that captures the magic of Tchaikovsky’s score and the whimsical charm of this holiday classic.

3. Concerts and Recitals

Overview

Dubai Opera’s summer season includes an impressive array of concerts and recitals, featuring both international stars and local talents. These performances span various genres, from classical music to contemporary hits.

Featured Artists

• Andrea Bocelli: The legendary tenor will grace the stage with his powerful voice, performing a selection of his greatest hits and classical arias.
• Arab Music Night: A celebration of Arabic music, featuring renowned local artists and orchestras, offering a night of soulful melodies and vibrant rhythms.

4. Theatre and Drama

Overview

For those who love drama and theatrical storytelling, Dubai Opera’s summer program includes gripping plays and thought-provoking performances. These productions offer a mix of classic and contemporary theatre.

Featured Productions

• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, filled with enchantment and humor, comes to life in a captivating production.
• “Hamlet”: A modern interpretation of the timeless tragedy, exploring themes of power, revenge, and madness.

Local Productions

Dubai Opera is committed to supporting local talent and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the UAE. This summer season includes several local productions that highlight the creativity and diversity of Emirati artists.

Featured Local Productions

• “Desert Stories”: A theatrical journey through the myths and legends of the Arabian Desert, combining traditional storytelling with contemporary performance art.
• “Emirati Folk Dance”: An evening of traditional Emirati dance, celebrating the vibrant culture and heritage of the UAE through dynamic and colorful performances.

Conclusion

Dubai Opera’s Summer Season is set to be a spectacular celebration of the arts, with a lineup that includes some of the best international and local productions. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, ballet, concerts, or theatre, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this iconic venue.

Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic of live performances in the heart of Dubai. Book your tickets now and be part of an unforgettable cultural journey at Dubai Opera.

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Running from November 21, 2023, to March 8, 2024, this unique show, presented by WHAT ELSE, promises an unparalleled blend of immersive theatre and exquisite dining, featuring a total of 68 performances.

Famed guests graced the tables at Belcanto restaurant, adding to the glamour of the evening. Among them were luminaries such as Carol Dursun (Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab), Ruwayah Khalifa Alketbi (Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain’s Cultural Islamic Center), Badr Zizi (Emaar Hospitality Group), Lina Mikati (Abu Dhabi Art Circle), Mikati Ben, Sasha Ray, Eclat Laurels, Dayana Solano, Magomed Musaev (Forbes Russia), Amina Musaeva (Cloudset), Natalie Field (Visit Dubai), Alban Lacroix (Chaumet ME), Bandana Jain (Dubai Horizons), Guzel Ergasheva (Prive7), and Anna Kanyuk (TopStretching).

The welcome drink area set the stage with an unexpected treat: guests were offered an unusual dessert in the form of lipstick as a complimentary indulgence. The show continued to surprise with its unconventional culinary offerings, including an octopus appetizer in a golden cage and caviar made from coffee with banana mousse, elegantly served in a black caviar jar.

Comprising six scenes with dynamic changes in scenery and lighting, the show seamlessly integrated actors, dancers, and waiters, all adorned in costumes that evolved with the storyline. Guests found themselves immersed in a gripping detective plot, witnessing the mysterious disappearance of the opera diva Eleanor Cassetti.

The upcoming dining experiences are curated by the culinary duo of Italian chef Fabrizio Lusenti, currently the Head Chef of “Belcanto Restaurant,” and Mika Tolkachev, the Executive Chef at FIVE Hotels & Resorts.

Victoria Strekalina, founder, general producer, and ideological inspirer of the project, expressed her pride, stating, “Our team is proud that WHAT ELSE became the first gastronomic theatre to be hosted by the Dubai Opera building. Ludovico Einaudi, soloists of the Bolshoi Theatre, and La Scala performed on its stage; this is a pleasant association. We have added more exciting immersive moments to the new staging. For example, some guests have a part in our show but only find out about it along the way, and the menu has such deceptive dishes as lipstick becoming a dessert, black caviar… well, be sure to come to find out.”

“We see great prospects for the development of theater in the UAE and the MENA region. This place is developing rapidly and is gradually becoming an important center of tourism and art on the world map. When developing a project for this region, we took into account the sophistication of potential viewers in terms of impressions. In the near future, we will present a second show in Dubai, which will be not only entertainment but also definitely a cultural phenomenon, uniting people of different nationalities and cultures,” says Igor Glyanenko, partner and investor of the theater.

The theater team, led by Victoria Strekalina, comprises Fabrizio Lusenti and Mika Tolkachev as chefs, Vahan Saroyan and Andrey Korzhov as show directors, and choreographers Ekaterina Reshetnikova and Vitaly Savchenko adding their creative flair to this gastronomic spectacle.

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Tickets for the Shrek Musical can be purchased either through Platinumlist or directly from Dubai Opera. Prices range from Dhs275 for silver tickets to Dhs575 for VIP tickets. The shows will take place from Wednesday to Sunday, with one show each on Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm, two shows on Friday and Saturday at 4pm and 8pm, and two shows on Sunday at 2pm and 6pm.

This well-loved family classic tells the story of a green ogre, Shrek, whose peaceful swamp is disturbed by grouchy fairytale creatures banished from their realm by the malevolent Lord Farquad. To reclaim his land, Shrek agrees to save Princess Fiona, who is to wed Lord Farquad. The musical production presents the iconic tale with lively music, imaginative backdrops, and inventive choreography. The musical has been performed over 500 times across Singapore, the UK, France, the Netherlands, China, and New York since its debut on Broadway.

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Andrea Bocelli is one performer who has contributed to the genre’s increased appeal in the UAE. The Italian tenor, who will perform on Thursday at Etihad Park in Abu Dhabi, was one of the first to demonstrate the promise of classical music to the city when 11,000 people attended his maiden performance at Emirates Palace in 2009. Artists Jose Carreras, Sarah Brightman, and Il Divo were soon engaged to perform in the UAE when major promoters took notice.

Bocelli applauds the region’s cultural vitality for fostering the development of specialized forms like opera. According to him, the region has worked hard to become a destination for classical music, as seen by the quality and quantity of music festivals, individual performances, and the performers involved.

“Significant strides have been made, and now the area is regarded as one of the most important platforms for us as classical musicians globally. I am delighted that such ample room is given to culture, classical music, and opera singing—with a repertoire that is the distinctive byproduct of a particular culture — in such a wonderful land, where you can grasp both the power of nature and the cleverness and dynamism of modern man,” Bocelli expresses.

When Bocelli was 12 years old, he entirely lost his vision due to congenital glaucoma, and as a teenager in rural Tuscany, he started playing in piano bars and singing competitions.

After winning the newcomer division of the 1994 Sanremo Music Festival, a well-known Italian television song competition, he achieved national renown.

With his rendition of Con the partiro, later covered in English as Time to Say Goodbye with British soprano Sarah Brightman, Bocelli came in fourth the following year.

Bocelli, who has sold nearly 100 million albums and is regarded as one of the world’s most famous opera singers, says his career was built on hard work, hope, and faith.

“My life’s narrative, the development of my voice, and, by extension, my existence, might come off as a happily ever after fairy tale. But it’s also true that I had to deal with a lot of closed doors in order to reach this level of accomplishment,” he adds.

For a country boy with many challenges, becoming a musician was an uncertain journey.

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Devoted to the formation and prosperity of his people as well as his powerful state, the Sultan’s reminisce of his beautiful Kypchak steppe continue to haunt him. Having reached all heights of glory in a foreign land he craves for a land he calls home.

This extraordinary page in history is captured in this spell-binding performance by the Astana Ballet; Sultan Baybars” continues to fascinate historians around the world. Its narration transcends time and age. Astana Ballet’s transformation of “Sultan Baybars” epitomizes and captures the true historic spirit as well as narration of the slave who became Sultan.

Choreography: Mukaram Avakhri

Music: Khamit Shangaliyev and Alibek Alpiev

Author of the Libretto: Bakhyt Kairbekov

Scenography and Costumes: Leonid Basin, Asya Solovyova

Lightning Designers: – Arseniya Safiullina and Robert Dautov

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Choreography: Yuri Grigorovich
Music: Arif Melikov
Libretto by Nazim Khikmet
Scenography and Costumes: Simon Virsaladze

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The 90-minute show will feature some of the singer’s most popular songs during what promises to be an exhilarating evening of music and nostalgia announced Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.

Abdel Halim Hafez was a prolific singer and actor whose music and films were adored by fans across the region and beyond. A spectacular tribute to the star and the impact he had on the region, the Abdel Halim Hafez Hologram event marks the first time this innovative and exciting technology has been used to bring the much-loved singer and his songs to life in front of an audience.

The audience will be able to watch Abdel Halim Hafez on stage thanks to NDP’s pioneering use of hologram technology and artificial intelligence to create a high-resolution 3D model that matches the artist’s face and body movements. For the shows’s audio content, NDP extracted his voice over five months to produce vocals of the highest quality and purity, which will be supported by a live 28-person band.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “We always strive to provide all that is new and distinctive to the residents and visitors of Dubai while maintaining the necessary health and safety measures, and the Abdel Halim Hafez Hologram event is a must-see event that will appeal to Arabic music fans of all ages and nationalities. The first-ever full hologram event to feature Abdel Halim Hafez, a true legend of Egyptian popular culture, the innovative and immersive live show will be a fitting tribute to the star and his family. Held exclusively in Dubai during Eid Al Fitr, the show is a unique opportunity to relive the incredible songs and warm personality of Abdel Halim Hafez through a combination of cutting-edge technology and powerful music.”

Mohammed Shabana, Abdel Halim Hafez’s nephew, expressed his happiness that his uncle’s music was being performed at such a unique event using the most advanced hologram technology. “Abdel Halim Hafez will perform some of his best work at the Dubai Opera show during Dubai’s Eid Al Fitr celebrations.  Despite his passing 43 years ago, he remains a firm favourite with music lovers across the Middle East.”

To protect and guarantee intellectual property rights, and as a commitment to Abdel Halim Hafez, NDP cooperated with rights holders from the family and heirs of the late artist, the association of authors, composers, publishers and prestigious government institutions in Egypt, to obtain all permits and approvals necessary. The Abdel Halim Hafez Hologram event follows the success of a hologram show by the late artist Umm Kulthum by NDP and MBC Group in Dubai in 2019.

Doors open at 9.30pm with the show starting at 10pm. Tickets, priced from AED350 for silver to AED950 for VIP, are available from dubaiopera.com and visitdubai.com.
 
The Dubai Opera event will be held in accordance with all the important health and safety rules and procedures, including social distancing and the wearing of masks.

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