10th Anniversary Season
Tickets go on sale from 30th November 2021
In honour of its 10th Anniversary, the Royal Opera House Muscat is delighted to be launching the new landmark season for 2022. The launch hails a thrilling return to live performances. The stunning programme brings twenty productions and a total of thirty-five performances with two operas, two ballets, two Arab stars, two gala concerts, two symphonic concerts along with jazz, world music and four stunning shows from across the globe.
ROHM'S World Premiere of Verdi's Rigoletto
and
Franco Zeffirelli Exhibition
To launch the 2022, 10th Anniversary Season
The classical season opens with the landmark red-carpet, world premiere of ROHM's production of Verdi's Rigoletto, masterminded by the globally renowned director Franco Zeffirelli. This is the great man's final legacy, with Leo Nucci, the Rigoletto with no comparison, starring in the lead role. The Franco Zeffirelli direction is packed with his trademark vibrancy and grand vision for staging The Orchestra and Choir of Fondazione Arena di Verona perform, along with the Omani Opera Choir Group, under the baton of Jan Latham-Koenig. (Jan 20, 21 & 22)
The launch of the season includes an exciting, unparalleled exhibition on the life and work of the legendary theatre director, Franco Zeffirelli, to be hosted at the Royal Opera: House of Musical Arts from 16th January to 20th March 2022. Through artefacts, images, and videos designed especially for the Royal Opera House Muscat, many on display for the first time, the exhibition is an artistic tour de force of Zeffirelli's vision for grand opera.
Arab star to hit the first note
A perfect start to the new season: the charismatic Saber Rebaï will perform a programme of his best loved songs, accompanied by a small orchestra in a show which is designed to stir the senses and enrich the souls of audiences of loyal and newly inspired fans. (Jan 6 & 7)
An incredible line-up of productions build an incredible season:
One of the world's most popular operas
In Die Lustige Witwe, Hanna Glawari, the 'merry widow' of the title, fights to keep her inheritance from the state. The opera unfolds over a game of political machinations and a courtship, in a plot which aims both to amuse audiences and to reflect the gigantic and hilarious flaws in human nature. Franz Lehár's operetta is defined by quick, galloping pieces in a lighthearted, romantic tale, being both satirical and frivolous. The opera is directed by Marco Arturo Marelli and performed by Volksoper Wien. (Feb 17, 18 & 19)
Pas de Deux of beautiful ballet
Performed by The National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus, Anastasia is a magnificent classical work by Vyacheslav Kuznetsov portraying the cultural history of Belarus through a legendary love story with new choreography by Yuri Travanas. (Feb 3, 4 & 5)
The Nutcracker is the most widely performed and enduringly popular ballet in the world. Everyone loves Tchaikovsky's storytelling music and the tale of the enchanted young heroine, Clara, the magical nutcracker doll that becomes a prince, the charmed Sugar Plum Fairy and the epic battle between mice and tin soldiers. Performed by The Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre, choreographed by Nina Ananiashvili and Alexey Fadeechey, conducted by Alevtina Ioffe. (March 17,18 & 19)
Two famous Arab artists
The award-winning composer, pianist and conductor Omar Khairat bridges contemporary Egyptian and Western music. In concert with the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra, Khairat performs his original arrangements of supreme works by Mohamed Abdel Wahab and selections from among Umm Kulthum's most popular songs. (Feb 24 & 25)
The acclaimed Lebanese singer, Melhem Zain, known as the Chief of Song performs with a mastery inspired by the great Arab artists, and in a voice that has been described as dazzling and mountainous. (May 19 & 20)
4 Fabulous Concerts
Stellar artists perform in a gala concert of Verdi's Masterpieces, performing arias and duets from across the repertoire. The Orchestra and Choir of Fondazione Arena di Verona, and star artists from Rigoletto production will perform under the baton of Jan Latham-Koenig. (Jan 23)
The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra will be performing Donizetti Masterpieces. The programme will explore the range of Donizetti's most popular opera repertoire from opera buffa to opera seria. (March 10)
Alexander Malofeev, the world-famous piano virtuoso, performs with the Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexander Sladkovsky, artistic director, and chief conductor of the TNSO, the orchestra will play a stirring programme of Liszt and Rachmaninoff. (May 12)
The Royal Opera House Muscat's annual Pipe Organ Concert presents talented Muscat and international organists. The programme includes a special composition dedicated to the pipe organ from Marco Tutino, The Dreaming Lion, and pieces from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. The concert will feature the famous Müncher Knabenchor and the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra. (May 14)
Arab Shows
Performing artists from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas join Omani musicians in the Royal Opera House Muscat's spectacular annual Oman World Folk Music Festival, taking audiences around the world in two days, exploring traditional songs and musical heritage from across the globe. (Feb 11 & 12)
Following the success of Kan Ya Ma Kan and Sailing Through Time, the acclaimed Caracalla Dance Theatre returns to the Royal Opera House Muscat with FINIQIA, The Legend Lives On. Founded on myth and fable, this promises to be yet another fabulous performance with striking visuals, vibrancy, and colour. (March 24, 25 & 26)
Jazz, World Music and Shows
World-acclaimed jazz trumpeter and Grammy-Award winner, Chris Botti is America's best-selling American instrumental artist. Building on creative roots in jazz, Botti's music transcends genres. This concert will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Muscat jazz fans. (Jan 27 & 28)
Singing in the stunningly soulful Fado form originating from Portugal but now famous throughout the world, Carminho, one of the very best Fado artists globally, will perform with her band in the Royal Opera: House of Musical Arts as part of her worldwide tour. (Feb 26)
Teh Dar, meaning “go in circles around a fire," is an awe-inspiring acrobatic musical show from Vietnam inspired by the exotic traditions of tribes in Vietnam's remote highlands. Fifteen acrobats and five musicians enact a dance of pure beauty. (Mar 4 & 5)
With Swan Lake, China's Guangdong Acrobatic Troupe achieves a successful union of acrobatics with classical Western ballet. Brilliantly choreographed and flawlessly performed, this phenomenal adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake promises to be one of the most thrilling and awe-inspiring productions of the season. (May 26, 27 & 28)
Sacred Music for Ramadhan
Sacred Sufi Praise and Inshaad are performed by different ensembles from Oman and across the region. For Ramadhan, the Royal Opera House Muscat brings audiences the rich and diverse genre of Inshaad that is celebrated throughout the Arab world. (Apr 7 & 21)
From Education and Outreach
The 2022 calendar for Education and Outreach includes a full-scale presentation of an opera in Donizetti's, L'Elisir d'Amore, or The Factory of Ideas. Teatro Sociale di Como - As.Li.Co. has cleverly created a customised production for students. Directed by Manuel Renga and conducted by Azzurra Steri, the Royal Opera House Muscat will present the opera for schools in addition to the public performance. (Mar 12)
The outreach programme includes concerts on stage at the Royal Opera: House of Musical Arts; guided tours; Lunch Music in the Opera Galleria; Absolute Music Series; Pre-Performance Talks for major productions; Coffee & Dates with star artists; special school performances, concerts and shows; and, an activity packed family day in the Open House.
Please note that all performances will take place in adherence with the guidelines regarding Covid-19. The safety and welfare of our audiences is a top priority.