Muscat: The Royal Opera House Muscat has revealed its 2025–2026 Season, a brilliant manifestation of its cultural initiative, which continues to be the fundamental aim and guiding principle of the institution. This season is not merely a tribute to performance, but also a vibrant pledge to creativity, dialogue, and the ability of culture to motivate and bring people together.
Featuring over fifty outstanding events — including opera, Arab music, orchestral concerts, ballet, jazz, family shows, and cherished global traditions — the program establishes a lively convergence of worlds, where East and West harmoniously interact, and heritage thrives alongside innovation.
Spanning from October 2025 to May 2026, the season encourages audiences of all ages to embark on a journey filled with sound, beauty, and emotion — reaffirming culture as a collective treasure and the very essence of the Royal Opera House Muscat’s mission.
SINDBAD: THE OMANI SAILOR - A HISTORIC WORLD PREMIERE GRAND OPERA ROOTED IN OMANI CULTURE
Kicking off the season is Sindbad: The Omani Sailor, a world premiere opera that highlights Omani culture at the forefront and signifies a milestone in Arab grand opera.
This production by the Royal Opera House Muscat - in partnership with MÜPA Budapest - showcases music by Egyptian composer Hisham Gabr, a libretto by Nader Salah El Din, and direction by Csaba Káel.
Sindbad: The Omani Sailor is a long-anticipated project now brought to life, featuring the highest involvement of Arab artists—from composer and librettist to performers—making it a genuinely authentic Arab production. With sets and costumes inspired by Oman, the opera presents Omani heritage on the global stage, intertwining myth, music, and cultural identity in a historic debut. (3rd & 5th October).
ICONIC OPERAS: FROM GRAND DRAMA TO COMEDIC GEM
Opera enthusiasts can anticipate impactful performances of timeless classics. Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, presented by the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre under the direction of Davide Livermore and the expert baton of Fabio Mastrangelo, delivers intense emotion and high-stakes drama on stage (29th & 31st January).
Later in the season, Giuseppe Donizetti’s cherished Don Pasquale provides a delightful contrast, an exuberant comic opera brought to life with style by the Oviedo Filarmonía Orchestra and the Choir 1685 of the “Giuseppe Verdi” Conservatory of Ravenna, directed by the esteemed Andrea de Rosa and conducted by the skilled Francesco Lanzillotta (9th & 11th April).
ARAB MUSIC: HERITAGE, LEGENDS, AND NEW VOICES
This year’s Arab music lineup pays homage to both heritage and innovation. The season kicks off with a celebration of Omani Women’s Day featuring performances by Diana Haddad, the Ayoub Sisters, and the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra Ladies’ Ensemble (17th October), followed by Diana Haddad’s solo concert the following evening (18th October).
In a celebration of local talent, Omani Night highlights the music of Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi in an event that showcases the richness of the Sultanate’s musical heritage (12th December).
Prominent figures in Gulf music will also grace the stage, as Rabeh Saqer performs in an open-air concert beneath the stars (13th November).
Later in the spring, Khalid El Sheikh and Ahmed El Jumairy unite for A Night with the Masters of Gulf Music, a distinctive collaboration that encapsulates the poetic spirit of the Khaleej (23rd April).
The season’s Arab music offerings culminate with a performance by Abeer Nehme, whose extraordinary vocal range and profound expressiveness promise an unforgettable experience (14th & 15th May).
MOMENTS OF REFLECTION AND SPIRITUAL RESONANCE
Throughout Ramadan, ROHM presents a tranquil series of Evenings of Sufi and Inshaad, showcasing sacred poetry and spiritual music from various regions of the Arab world. These reflective evenings provide opportunities for peace and connection (26th February, 5th & 9th March).
ORCHESTRAL EXCELLENCE AND CROSS-CULTURAL DIALOGUES
This season also emphasizes the significance of musical conversations across different traditions and regions. A notable instance occurs early on, as the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by Domonkos Héja, collaborates with the Oman Traditional Music Ensemble to delve into the connections between Hungarian and Arab music (4th October).
Making its debut at ROHM, the Ossipov National Academic Folk Instrument Orchestra, under the direction of Vladimir Andropov, brings the vibrant sounds of Russian folklore to life in a concert brimming with color and vitality (17th November).
A spectacular New Year’s Eve gala features the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sergey Smbatyan, performing alongside pianist Behzod Abduraimov and violinist Elli Choi in an evening that showcases technical mastery and artistic sophistication (31st December).
In the two-piano arrangement of Beethoven/Liszt’s Ninth Symphony, pianists Hélène Mercier and Louis Lortie present this rarely performed piece, accompanied by the Chorus of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, offering a fresh and intimate interpretation of a monumental classic (30th January).
Adding a touch of cinematic magic, Disney’s The Lion King Live in Concert will be screened with orchestral support from the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, providing an immersive experience into the savannah and a sensory delight (13th & 14th February).
Other orchestral highlights include Castanets’ Duel, a lively and virtuosic performance by Raul Amaya and Gabriela Castillo with The Oviedo Filarmonía (10th April) and a grand Pipe Organ Concert featuring the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra, accompanied for the first time by ROHM’s Children’s Choir (30th April).
BALLET, FLAMENCO, AND THE ART OF MOVEMENT
Dance makes a grand return to the ROHM stage. The ‘Astana Opera’ Ballet Company and Orchestra will showcase Charles Nuitter and Léo Delibes’ Coppélia, featuring the elegant and humorous choreography of Roland Petit; a timeless classic brimming with charm and artistry (4th & 5th December). In May, The Ballet Nacional de España will present Estampas Flamencas, a passionate homage to the rhythmic intricacies and emotional richness of flamenco (7th & 8th May).
JAZZ, FOLK, AND GLOBAL SOUNDS
The Janoska Ensemble, a talented family of four artists, will perform their distinctive arrangements of classical music in collaboration with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra over two evenings on the 30th and 31st of October.
From the sultry tones of jazz to the lively atmosphere of open-air folk festivals, the season unites a variety of musical genres. Jazz enthusiasts can look forward to performances by the emerging talent Emmaline, featuring Anthony Strong, who together will present a refined blend of standards, soul, and swing (27th & 28th November).
The ever-popular Military Music Festival continues to be a key highlight of the season, this year showcasing visiting bands alongside Omani military and police bands in what promises to be a spectacular exhibition of music, marching, and stunning costumes (6th, 7th & 8th November). Following this, the Folk Music Festival will return, featuring artists from Kazakhstan, Mexico, and Hungary sharing the stage with Omani musicians in a vibrant celebration of cultural rhythm and identity (8th & 9th January).
FAMILY MAGIC AND THEATRE FOR ALL AGES
“Lumen Créations” will present Symphony of Lights on stage, joining an impressive lineup of family-friendly performances, a dazzling mix of acrobatics and a dramatic light show that will highlight the opera house during the holiday season (18th & 19th December).
Captivating both younger audiences and the young at heart, ROHM showcases a series of magical family productions. Cinderella on Ice enchants with elegant choreography, sparkling costumes, and storytelling on skates (1st, 2nd & 3rd January).
In February, The Underwater Bubble Show arrives, a spectacular production brimming with light, illusion, and joyous entertainment (6th & 7th February).
A SEASON BEYOND THE STAGE
In addition to its diverse performance schedule, the 2025–2026 season reinforces ROHM’s commitment to learning, accessibility, and cultural exchange. From artist-led masterclasses to family-oriented “Open House” days, and from educational outreach initiatives to performances featuring sign language, the season aims to engage and include everyone. Programs such as school performances and the “Open Doors” initiative ensure that music and culture are accessible to all.
This season also includes a unique exhibition: Rhythm of Life - Richness and Diversity in Omani Arts, a music exhibition hosted at the Royal Opera House of Musical Arts. Featuring rare instruments, immersive displays, and musical narratives from throughout the Sultanate, the exhibition honors Oman’s rich heritage and the sounds that unite its people.
The 2025–2026 season is more than just a season; it’s a celebration of connection: among people, cultures, and the stories conveyed through music.
Tickets go on sale starting September 1st at 11:00 am. Early bird ticket purchases made before September 6th will receive a 15% discount on all shows with the promocode EARLY15, along with additional special rates for bookings of three or more shows.
For complete details, visit www.rohmuscat.org.om
