Dubai finally lifted itself from shoppers’ paradise and playground to the rich and famous to become a city boasting an iconic opera house on 31 August.
Hoping to shed its long held reputation as a ‘cultural desert’, the venue was placed in the hands of chief executive of Dubai Opera, and former Royal Albert Halls boss, Jasper Hope. ‘Tonight was a musical moment in history,’ said Hope. ‘Dubai Opera looked stunningly beautiful tonight and those fortunate enough to be inside can confirm it sounded spectacular with a wonderful performance by the legendary Plácido Domingo.’
Tickets for the first show at Dubai Opera sold out in just three hours when they went on sale in April this year. ‘We are very much looking forward to welcoming many more people to the venue over the next few days, weeks and months and firmly intend for Dubai Opera to make a major and lasting contribution for the future,’ he added.
You can read IAM’s interview with Jasper Hope here
The 2,000-seat venues has an ambitious programme to secure its billing as the most spectacular performance venue in the Middle East, upcoming shows include The Pearl Fishers, The Barber of Seville, Opera Without Words, Coppelia, Giselle, Postcards from Vienna, Mozart Gala, Impossible, José Carreras, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Sara Baras, Anoushka Shankar, Béjart Ballet Lausanne, The Nutcracker on Ice and Slava’s Snowshow.
Ticket prices start from around AED250 (€60) for West Side Story, whilst a top seat to see José Carreras is expected to fetch to AED1200 (€300).