Muscat: The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) announced its 2024/25 season with the launch of Athena production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera.
Marking its Oman debut, the Verdi masterpiece will feature the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Beijing, performing for the first time in the Sultanate of Oman.
At the media briefing held on Tuesday, the Director General and Artistic Director of ROHM, Umberto Fanni, said, “We are proud to open the 2024/25 season with the NCPA’s production of Un Ballo in Maschera, a first for Oman.
This opera underscores our commitment to offering an ever-evolving program for both local and international audiences.”
He also talked about the importance of the cooperation between ROHM and NCPA.
The Vice President of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Beijing, GUAN Jianbo, said he was happy to present China’s expression of world-class productions.
Renowned director Hugo de Ana said he does not want to let all surprises out and prefers for people to come and watch the show.
The opera will be staged on Thursday, October 3, and October 5, featuring leading opera stars, with most 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 will bring to life Verdi's exploration of love, betrayal, and political intrigue.
Piotr Beczala. Tenor will play the principal role of Gustav III, King of Sweden, in Un Ballo in Maschera, and he said he is looking forward to singing the song of a king. There are some dramatic moments.
A special feature of the opening weekend, ROHM, will be the presentation of a special concert, A Musical Night from China, on Friday, October 4th, 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 highlighted the broader theme of the season: Timeless Tales and Fabulous Journeys: An Opera Season Beyond Imagination. This year’s program 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 new initiatives such as the Emerging Talents series and the upcoming Piano Duel, bringing to the stage winners of international competitions and emerging artists. In the coming months, ROHM will continue to showcase an exciting array of leading artists and performances, further solidifying its reputation as Oman’s premier cultural venue.
Director General and Artistic Director, Umberto Fanni, said, “The season ahead will feature a dynamic blend of opera, jazz, ballet, family shows, concerts, and Arab music performances, catering to a wide range of tastes. The Royal Opera House Muscat remains committed to its role in bridging cultures through the arts, welcoming performers and companies from around the world, and showcasing Oman’s cultural heritage on the global stage.”
Tickets can be booked on the Royal Opera House Muscat website, mobile app, or directly at the box office.
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