Monday 17 / March / 2025
Muscat: Shedding light on Oman’s history and the blessed renaissance under the prudent leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Royal Opera House Muscat presented its first major in-house production, titled ‘Celebrating Oman,’ for three days this weekend.
The show portrayed elements such as desert, ocean, frankincense, wildlife etc. which make up Oman, through a series of spectacular performances.
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‘Celebrating Oman: The Great Journey’ comprised eight vivid musical displays, representing different aspects of life in Oman, and took the audience on an incredible expedition through the Sultanate’s rich history, nature, seafarers’ traditions and cultural heritage.
The eight tableaux were ‘Omani History and Geography’; ‘Frankincense - Back to Nature’; ‘the Maritime History’; ‘the Silk Route’; ‘the Sword Dance’; ‘the Renaissance’; ‘Oman: Oasis of Peace’; and the final one representing the ROHM as a “Cultural House of the World.”
This ground-breaking production coincided with the exceptional fifth season and anniversary of the ROHM and reaffirmed the reputation it has managed to build over the years as an artistic and cultural beacon and a bridge for cross-cultural dialogue.
More than a 100 performers, including 40 Omani children, more than 30 Omani musicians, three camels from the Royal Camel Corps, traditional Omani folk companies, and members from the ‘Society for Amateur Oud Players,’ which was created through the Royal order of His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 2005,
participated.
This show was developed in co-operation with the Namaste group and conceived by the renowned Italian creator of exciting events, Paolo Dalla Sega, as a valuable addition to the ROHM’s
repertoire.
His Highness Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd Al Said maintained that the ROHM’s Board of Directors has, since the ROHM’s first seasons, been keen on presenting independent productions. He said this show will mark a milestone in the area of technical and innovative co-operation with specialised companies from around the world.
Combining great music with dazzling light and sound shows, ‘Celebrating Oman’ was a free ticketed show, presented at the ROHM’s Maidan on January
5, 6 and 7.
The show featured an original libretto by talented Omani writer, Dr. Saleh Al Fahdi, with storytelling by Issam Al Zadjali and Rasha Al Balushi. Aiman Al Nasser presented a solo song.
In addition to the international choreographers, singers and dancers from all over the world, including Italy, France, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Argentina, Mexico, Hungary and Switzerland, participated. — Photos: ROHM
