Muscat: The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) convened a media briefing on Tuesday, 1 October, attended by the esteemed Director General and Artistic Director, Umberto Fanni, the Vice President of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Beijing GUAN Jianbo, and the renowned Director Hugo de Ana.
The Royal Opera House Muscat is poised to inaugurate its 2024/25 season with an exceptional production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera.
This Verdi masterpiece is set to make its Omani debut, with the NCPA Beijing performing for the first time in the Sultanate.
The opera will be staged on Thursday, 3 October, and Saturday, 5 October, captivating audiences both locally and internationally.
The production boasts leading opera stars, many of whom are making their debut in Muscat, including Elena Stikhina, Piotr Beczała, LIAO Changyong, Agnieszka Rehlis, and Enkelada Kamani, all of whom were present at the media briefing.
Under the baton of Giampaolo Bisanti, the Orchestra Teatro Lirico di Cagliari is set to bring to life Verdi’s exploration of love, betrayal, and political intrigue.
As part of the inaugural weekend, ROHM will also present a special concert,
A Musical Night from China, on Friday, 4 October, featuring the Chorus and soloists from NCPA, conducted by LÜ Jia, Artistic Director of Music and Music Director of the NCPA Orchestra.
The media briefing also underscored the broader theme of the season: Timeless Tales and Fabulous Journeys: An Opera Season Beyond Imagination.
This year’s programme promises world-class performances with beloved fairytales such as Fikret Amirov’s ballet, One Thousand and One Nights, under the direction of the prestigious Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre in Vladivostok, along with other fairytales including Beauty & The Beast on Ice, the family opera Robin Hood, and a Harry Potter movie concert.
Part of the new season also includes innovative initiatives such as the Emerging Talents series and the upcoming Piano Duel, featuring winners of international competitions and emerging artists.
In the months to come, ROHM will continue to showcase an exciting array of leading artists and performances, further establishing its reputation as Oman’s premier cultural venue.
In his remarks on the opening of the season, Director General and Artistic Director, Umberto Fanni stated: “We are honored to commence the 2024/25 season with the NCPA’s production of Un Ballo in Maschera, marking its Omani debut. This opera highlights our dedication to providing an ever-evolving program for both local and international audiences. The season ahead promises a dynamic blend of opera, jazz, ballet, family shows, concerts, and Arab music performances, catering to a broad spectrum of preferences. The Royal Opera House Muscat remains committed to its role in fostering cultural exchange through the arts, welcoming performers and companies from around the globe and showcasing Oman’s cultural heritage on the international stage.”
The Royal Opera House Muscat extends its invitation to the audience to purchase tickets through its website, mobile app, or directly at the box office.
