When Dubai Opera opened its doors for the first time in 2016, there was much anticipation as to how this world-class venue would help shape the future of the city’s cultural and entertainment scene.
Globally, opera houses are known as a source of entertainment and education and a critical part of the city they came from. Almost a decade later and Dubai Opera is well on its way to achieving this feat. Housed inside an architectural marvel, the Dubai Opera has quickly become a premier destination for arts and entertainment, hosting an eclectic mix of performances, from grand operas and classical ballets to contemporary concerts, theatrical productions, and even stand-up comedy.
Leading Dubai Opera’s vision is Paolo Petrocelli, whose background in the entertainment industry has been imperative to the development of the venue and its increasing popularity. Here, we find out more on what’s to come from this cultural destination.
Tell us about the current vision and direction of Dubai Opera.
At Dubai Opera, our vision is to be the cultural heartbeat of Dubai, a city renowned for its dynamic growth and global ambition. We strive to position Dubai Opera as a world-class destination for diverse artistic expressions and cultural exchange. This includes showcasing international superstars and groundbreaking productions, while also nurturing local talent and providing an accessible platform for the arts. We aim to deliver a broad spectrum of performances, ranging from the grandeur of opera and ballet to the vibrancy of contemporary theatre, ensuring that every season offers something for all tastes. Our direction is about blending the traditional with the modern, creating a cultural dialogue that resonates with the multicultural community of Dubai, while attracting visitors from all over the world.
In line with Dubai’s vision to become a leading global cultural hub, we focus on making Dubai Opera a beacon for creativity and innovation in the arts, continually pushing boundaries while remaining deeply connected to the heritage of both Dubai and the broader Arab world.
What do you look for when curating the schedule each season at Dubai Opera?
When curating our season, we aim to create a lineup that reflects the cosmopolitan spirit of Dubai. Our programming is a mix of traditional and modern performances, always reflecting our commitment to excellence and diversity. We carefully balance the genres of opera, ballet, classical music, jazz, contemporary dance, theatre, and musicals to ensure there’s something for everyone. International productions like The Phantom of the Opera and Matilda have been crowd favourites, but we also prioritise innovative performances, such as cutting-edge collaborations and contemporary theatre.
Each season, we seek to bring performances that not only appeal to Dubai’s residents but also attract tourists from around the world. With shows like The Nutcracker, and concerts like Ludovico Einaudi we continually aim to present globally recognised talent, but we also invest in nurturing regional talents through collaborations and special performances.
How do you balance the genres of events?
Balancing genres is an integral part of our programming strategy. We understand that Dubai’s audience is diverse, with varied interests spanning different cultures and artistic preferences. Therefore, we make it a point to mix traditional genres like opera and ballet with more modern and accessible genres like pop concerts, musicals, and even family-friendly events.
We also aim to reflect the city’s vibrancy by introducing immersive art experiences and live performances that fuse technology with music and dance. Through such a dynamic mix, we can engage different demographic groups—cultural connoisseurs, families, young professionals, and tourists. It’s about ensuring that there is something for everyone while maintaining the highest standard of quality.
When it first opened, the building was an architectural marvel – tell us about that and some of the highlights.
Dubai Opera is a true architectural marvel, designed by renowned architect Janus Rostock, and inspired by the shape of a traditional dhow, reflecting Dubai’s maritime history. The design allows for versatile usage, transforming seamlessly from a traditional proscenium theatre to a flat-floor event space, offering endless possibilities for a variety of performances and events. This flexibility allows us to host everything from grand operas and ballets to intimate concerts and corporate events.
Our stunning venue, with its 2,000-seat capacity and cutting-edge acoustics, continues to attract world-class talent and serve as a symbol of Dubai’s growing cultural scene.
Tell us about the educational opportunities you are providing through the Opera.
At Dubai Opera, we place a strong emphasis on education and community outreach. We offer a variety of programs aimed at nurturing future talent and fostering an appreciation for the performing arts. This includes workshops and masterclasses with international artists, designed to provide both aspiring artists and students with hands-on learning experiences. Our Behind-the-Scenes tours give students a unique insight into the production process, from the technical aspects to the creative artistry that goes into staging performances.
We also collaborate with schools, universities, and cultural institutions to create accessible opportunities for young people to engage with the arts. Programs like The Lullaby Project in collaboration with Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute is a transformative training program that we are gladly working on in association with the Dubai College of Tourism for the first time in the Middle East.
Who is the core target market for the opera today?
Dubai Opera’s audience is incredibly diverse, and we strive to appeal to both seasoned arts aficionados and newcomers alike. Our core audience includes local residents, expats, and tourists who are drawn to Dubai’s vibrant cultural scene. With performances ranging from world-class opera to Broadway musicals and contemporary dance, we cater to a wide array of tastes, from classical music lovers to fans of pop and rock concerts.
Our family-friendly performances also attract families with young children, providing them with accessible, enjoyable cultural experiences. The recent success of events like Mamma Mia! Slava’s Snow Show, The Little Prince exemplifies this broader appeal. In addition, we regularly host corporate events and private functions, further solidifying Dubai Opera as a multifaceted cultural destination that serves multiple segments of society.
What would you still like to do that you haven’t done yet?
There’s always more to accomplish! One of my main goals is to continue strengthening Dubai Opera’s role as a platform for innovation in the arts. We are exploring more immersive and interactive experiences, such as multi-sensory productions and collaborations with digital artists, to appeal to evolving audience expectations. Additionally, while we’ve brought major international productions to Dubai, I’d love to expand our relationships with global cultural institutions further, bringing even more exclusive performances to our stage.
Another key area for growth is the further development of our educational outreach. We’re working very closely with the Arabic Music Institute, which works on preserving the Arabic music and language, which is a new initiative by EMAAR.
What is the biggest challenge?
One of our biggest challenges is maintaining a consistent level of audience engagement in a city as dynamic and multicultural as Dubai. With such a transient population, it’s essential for us to strike a balance between attracting tourists and creating a loyal, local following. We must constantly innovate to remain relevant while ensuring that our programming remains rooted in the rich cultural traditions of Dubai and the UAE.
Another challenge is balancing commercial viability with artistic excellence. We aim to ensure that our performances are not only artistically inspiring but also financially sustainable, enabling us to continue offering diverse, world-class programming year after year.
We are seeing so many exciting events across the country – how would you assess the cultural/entertainment scene in the UAE today?
The UAE’s cultural and entertainment landscape has evolved dramatically over the last decade. With major projects like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Guggenheim Museum, and numerous global festivals, the country has firmly established itself as a cultural powerhouse in the Middle East. Dubai Opera plays a critical role in this transformation, offering a world-class venue for global performances while also fostering local talent and promoting cultural exchange.
Looking at the wider region – do you see further opportunities for culture and entertainment that haven’t been explored yet?
There is certainly room for more cross-cultural collaborations within the region, especially fusing traditional Middle Eastern music and dance with contemporary global trends. The future of regional arts lies in these collaborations, which will introduce new artistic forms and enrich the cultural fabric of the entire region. Dubai Opera is uniquely positioned to lead in this regard, and we’re exploring partnerships with regional artists and institutions to create such collaborations.
There’s also growing potential in creating more platforms for local talent to engage with international audiences. We’re working to bring more regional performers to global stages, and also curate more productions that fuse local heritage with international theatrical practices.
Can you share a little about your personal journey so far and how you progressed to your current role?
My journey into the arts has been shaped by a deep passion for culture, creativity, and the transformative power of the arts to connect people across boundaries. From a young age, I was drawn to music, and I recognised early on that the arts have the unique ability to inspire and transform. I started in management roles within cultural organisations, focusing on the strategic development and innnovation. Over time, I developed a strong interest in how the arts can play a key role in shaping the cultural identity of a city, especially in a dynamic and multicultural environment like Dubai.
I joined Dubai Opera at a pivotal time, when the venue was still relatively new, and the ambition was clear — Dubai Opera was to become not just a performance venue, but a beacon for culture in the region. As I progressed in my role, I had the privilege of working closely with an incredibly talented team to help realise this vision. The opportunity to work with world-renowned artists and productions, while also nurturing local talent, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. In my current role as Head of Dubai Opera, I continue to work towards our mission of positioning Dubai Opera as a world-class destination for the arts, a platform where international and local talent can meet and where cultural exchange thrives.
It’s been an exciting journey, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to Dubai Opera’s growth, while embracing new challenges and opportunities as we evolve within the rapidly changing cultural landscape of Dubai and the wider region.
What are some of the highlights upcoming this season?
This season, we are thrilled to present a stellar lineup that includes world-renowned operas, musicals, and exclusive performances by celebrated artists. We are currently having Singin’ in the Rain the musical, and next in line is the Nutcracker performed by the prestigious ballet and orchestra of Astana Opera.
