Dubai Opera: A World-Class Venue for Performing Arts

Located in Downtown Dubai under the shadow of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Opera’s iconic architecture is inspired by the dhow, a traditional sailing vessel used in the Arabian region and a symbol of Dubai’s maritime history. It is especially resplendent at night when the glass exterior of the building is lit up by LEDs as visitors are welcomed into the plaza, by a series of water fountains and the sculpture ‘Khalvat’ by the Iranian artist Sahand Hesamiyan. 

Dubai Opera was designed by Atkin’s lead architect Janus Rostock and is a highly adaptable building. The main 2000-seater auditorium has three different configurations. 

Inside wood is the predominant material which provides strong acoustics, while the waiting areas on all three floors are open plan in design and collectively lit by a spectacular chandelier titled ‘Symphony’.

Created by Libor Sostak, in-house designer at the Czech glass manufacturing company Lasvit, the lighting installation continues the connection with Dubai’s history, made of strings of individually crafted glass pearls. Weighing five tons, its movement can be controlled to reflect different types of music. 

In 2018 El Seed unveiled a new commission ‘Declaration’ in the Dubai Opera Garden. 

The complex sculptural forms which extend for 30 meters, illustrate a quotation from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid: “art in all its colors and types reflects the culture of the nations, their history and civilization”.

For El Seed, this ambitious piece is a declaration of love and respect of both Arabic calligraphy and the city of Dubai

 In its first four years, Dubai Opera has welcomed over 650,000 visitors and put on more than 700 performances, presenting an active programme of live, streamed performances on its Instagram channel and virtual classes in partnership with Diverse Performing Art.

It also initiated an open call for talent ‘From Home to Stage’ which received 800 submissions, the winner selected by a professional jury given the opportunity to perform at Dubai Opera as an opening act in their autumn season.   

The first performance after re-opening was the Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassimi, performing with the Lebanese singer Yara as part of an Eid charity concert. 

Their 2021 season brings the Kuwaiti comic Tareq Al Ali and Algerian musician Enrico Macias, the ballet Giselle and the operas Carmen and Aida before performances by the leading Syrian musician Iyad Rimawi and the Gypsy Kings.

Dubai Opera’s Chief Executive, Jasper Hope has always been guided by three main principles: variety, quality and community. These remain key as the organization continues to maintain its position as the leading performing arts destination in the city and becomes globally recognized for its unique achievements