Ten years of music, theatre, opera and dance deserve more than an ordinary curtain call. On September 12, 2026, Dubai Opera’s 10th anniversary gala with a spectacular gala bringing together internationally acclaimed soprano Fatma Said, the UAE National Orchestra, Festival Chorus and performers from the world of dance and opera.
Set inside Dubai Opera’s Main Auditorium, the evening promises to be a celebration of artistic excellence, cultural exchange and a decade of unforgettable performances. For one night, some of the region’s most celebrated musical talent will share the stage in a programme designed to honour Dubai Opera’s journey while opening the door to its next chapter.
Dubai Opera’s 10th Anniversary Gala: What to Expect
The Dubai Opera 10th Anniversary Gala takes place on Saturday, September 12, with the main performance beginning at 8pm.
Internationally acclaimed Egyptian soprano Fatma Said will headline the evening alongside the UAE National Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Ahmed Farag. The Festival Chorus will also join the performance, creating a large-scale musical experience that moves between orchestral works, opera, dance and beloved Arab classics.
The programme begins with a particularly significant moment: a world premiere of a new orchestral work commissioned from composer Mohamed Medhat specifically to honour Dubai Opera’s first decade and its cultural impact.
From there, the evening travels across different musical and artistic traditions, making the anniversary feel less like a conventional concert and more like a journey through the performing arts.
From Opera Classics to Beloved Arab Songs
One of the gala’s highlights will be its operatic finale, featuring celebrated works from composers including Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Mascagni and Loewe.
The programme includes Verdi’s La Forza del Destino overture, Puccini’s O mio babbino caro, Bizet’s Habanera and Les Voici! Voici la Quadrille, Mascagni’s Intermezzo and Loewe’s I Could Have Danced All Night.
The performance then takes a more intimate turn with Arab Icons, giving Fatma Said the opportunity to revisit some of the region’s most recognisable musical treasures. The programme includes Fairouz’s Aatini Al Naya wa Ghanni, Mohamed Abdel Wahab’s La Mosh Ana El Abki and Dalida’s Gamil El Soura.
That blend of Western classical repertoire and Arab musical heritage reflects the wider cultural role Dubai Opera has played since opening its doors.
A Special Celebration of Dance and Movement
Music will not be the only art form taking centre stage.
The gala will also feature Celebrating Movement, a dance presentation involving Lyon Opera Ballet and presented by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels. The performance showcases Jan Martens’ acclaimed Period Piece, performed by Kaine Ward, with lighting by Rudy Parra and set to Górecki’s Three Dances.
The inclusion of contemporary dance alongside opera and orchestral music gives the anniversary programme a distinctly modern character, demonstrating how Dubai Opera has evolved into a multidisciplinary cultural destination.
Dubai Opera Celebrates 10 Years of Cultural Impact
Since opening in August 2016, Dubai Opera has become one of Dubai’s leading performing arts destinations. According to Dubai Opera, more than 1.5 million visitors have experienced performances at the venue over its first decade.
Its 10th anniversary therefore represents more than the birthday of a building. It marks a decade in which Dubai has strengthened its position as a destination for international artists, musicians, performers and audiences.
The anniversary gala also opens Dubai Opera’s 2026–27 season, making the September performance both a look back at the past ten years and a preview of the cultural experiences still to come.
Dubai Opera 10th Anniversary Gala: Date, Time and Tickets
The Dubai Opera 10th Anniversary Gala will take place on:
- Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Venue: Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai
- Building opens: 7pm
- Auditorium doors: 7:30pm
- Performance: 8pm
- Tickets: From AED 550
- Dress code: Black tie encouraged
Guests can arrive from 7pm for welcome refreshments and red-carpet arrivals before taking their seats for the performance.
Tickets are currently listed from AED 550, with higher ticket categories available.
Why This Dubai Opera Gala Is Worth Adding to Your Calendar
For classical music lovers, the evening offers an impressive combination of opera, orchestral performance and vocal artistry. For audiences who enjoy contemporary culture, the addition of Lyon Opera Ballet adds another dimension to the experience.
But perhaps the biggest attraction is the occasion itself.
A decade of performances, international collaborations and cultural storytelling will come together on one stage for a single night. With Fatma Said, the UAE National Orchestra, Festival Chorus and dance performers sharing the programme, the gala has all the ingredients of a landmark Dubai cultural event.
As Dubai Opera enters its second decade, the anniversary gala offers audiences a chance to witness that transition from the front row — surrounded by music, movement and the atmosphere of one of the city’s most recognisable cultural venues.
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