ROHM to present leading opera singers in December

Muscat: The Royal Opera House Muscat's (ROHM) December line-up features Donizetti’s beloved opera La Fille du Régiment; an exhilarating Piano Duel between two renowned virtuosos; a stunning fusion of acrobatics, martial arts, and drumming; and a grand finale concert to mark the end of the year. With this diverse array of shows, ROHM’s events offer an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and artistry.

Kick off the month with Gaetano Donizetti's adored opera, La Fille du Régiment, a delightful tale packed with infectious melodies and endearing wit on December 5 and 7.

Directed by Jean Louis Grinda and performed by a stellar cast, including Jessica Pratt, Veronica Simeoni, Antonino Siragusa, and Omar Montanari, this production is accompanied by La Corelli Orchestra conducted by Antonello Allemandi. Audiences can also discover more about this opera during Opera Talks held on Wednesday 4th December at 7 pm at the Music Library – open to all.

December 6, ROHM presents the captivating Piano Duel, featuring celebrated pianists Aristo Sham and Nikolai Kuznetsov. In collaboration with Salle Gaveau, this event brings two exceptional artists together for an evening of breathtaking piano concertos. Audiences will have the unique opportunity to rate their favorite performance, while both artists will be honored for their extraordinary talent. The program includes masterpieces such as Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, promising a night of world-class virtuosity and musical brilliance.

Following Piano Duel, Royal Opera House Muscat presents a Desert Bridges concert with a newly formed ensemble of Swiss and Omani musicians brought together on stage to share the common language of music. Desert Bridges will take place on Thursday, December 12 at 7 pm at the Royal Opera House of Musical Arts, admission is free.

For a journey into the realm of ancient wisdom and modern theatrical spectacle, Sword of Wisdom by Taiwan’s U-Theatre will grace the stage on 19 and 20 December. This production merges striking drumming, martial arts, and acrobatic feats to narrate the heroic journey of the ‘Brave One’ as he faces his fears and uncovers his inner courage.

ROHM concludes December with a romantic New Year’s Eve concert featuring the exceptional bass-baritone Erwin Schrott, alongside the Petersburg Northern Symphonia Orchestra of the ‘F.I. Chaliapin’ St Petersburg State Music Theatre conducted by Fabio Mastrangelo on 31st December. The program features classical operatic selections followed by Johann Strauss's timeless waltzes, promising a memorable end to 2024.

ROHM is proud to give audiences the chance to meet the conductor Fabio Mastrangelo on 29th December, 7 pm at the Music Library, for a special Coffee & Dates Q&A – open to all.

Education & Outreach program

The season also brings special events for all ages, including ROHM’s Open House on December 21, on the theme of a World of Fairy Tales, which invites families to explore the magic of classic tales brought to life.

This is aligned with the ROHM 2024/25 season featuring timeless tales including Beauty and the Beast on Ice (2,3,4 January). Additionally, a Let’s Read storytelling session on 14 December in ROHM’s Music Library will immerse children in enchanting stories from One Thousand and One Nights – both events in December are free of admission and open to all.

As part of the opera house’s Emerging Talents initiative, join us on December 9 at 5 PM in the Music Library for a talk entitled: Who is Paganini? The Work and Legacy of the Great Violinist. French art historian Emmanuel Ducamp and Giovanni Panebianco, President of the Paganini Prize, will share insights into the life and works of the legendary musician.

This event launches Paganini for Everyone, a collaboration between the Paganini Prize International Violin Competition and the Royal Opera House Muscat, featuring talks, workshops, and a February concert with Paganini Prize winner Simon Zhu and pianist Gile Bae.