Dubai Opera raises the bar for cultural unity

Emirate hits an inspiring high note on how nations can continue their peaceful march towards progress

When the curtains go up on the Dubai Opera tonight, the booming voice of Placido Domingo will herald the beginning of a new era of cultural dynamism in the region. The sheer diversity of programmes on offer — from classic opera fare such as the Pearl Fishers, to family musicals such as Les Miserables, ballets and more innovative incorporations such as West End shows and music concerts from every corner of the world — marks Dubai Opera out as an outstanding venue for a wide variety of performances hitherto unseen in most parts of the region.

Its dhow-shaped architecture is an apt reflection of one of the UAE’s long-standing values: a smooth synthesis of global influences without compromising the nation’s own cultural identity.

But the successful inauguration of Dubai Opera is more than a cultural milestone for Dubai and the UAE on many counts.

Dubai has always taken the lead in conceiving unique cultural projects and institutions. The result is a testimony to the great diversity and harmonious co-existence of a multitude of nationalities and cultures in the emirate and the country. Dubai Opera will add momentum to that journey, embracing the world with a message of cultural unity that is increasingly rare in our modern existence.

The opera house will also serve as a great platform to encourage local talent in performing arts and create an awareness of the enormous possibilities in the genre. Finally, it has the potential to attract thousands of musically-inclined tourists from the region and beyond to witness top-class artists performing in one of the most modern settings in opera history. All this, of course, apart from the sheer pleasure of being ensconced in the luxurious acoustic bliss of a Bizet or a Rossini masterpiece. In an age when knowledge and cultural awareness is power and social harmony is at a premium, Dubai has once again hit an inspiring high note on how nations and societies can continue their peaceful march towards progress.