Dubai Opera Unveils Diverse Lineup for 10th Anniversary Season

It has been 10 years since Dubai Opera opened its doors, setting the stage for a decade of performances that brought everything from blockbuster musicals and classic operas to sweaty rock shows and intimate recitals. That eclecticism runs throughout the line-up of its latest season, which celebrates the milestone while continuing to bring leading performance companies, theatre shows, comedians and old favourites to the Downtown Dubai venue . “I think that is really what differentiates us, how diverse our audience is,” Dubai Opera head Lara Ewing tells The National . “The only single thing that I can distil it to is that people want to come together. But it’s not a singular thing.” Ewing says the programme also reflects how Dubai’s cultural landscape has changed over the past decade. “Back then, we really needed to make a mark with our shows and say, ‘Hey, this is Dubai Opera,’ and make an impact both locally and internationally. Whereas now we’re known, people know what Dubai Opera is, so we’ve got a bit more flexibility to take risks.” Here are the shows to look out for in the latest season. 1. Dubai Opera's 10th Anniversary Gala, September 12 Egyptian soprano Fatma Said joins the UAE National Orchestra and Festival Chorus for a concert marking a decade since Dubai Opera opened. Conducted by Ahmed Farag, the programme includes opera and Arabic classics alongside the world premiere of a new orchestral work by Egyptian composer Mohamed Medhat. Dance also features Jan Martens’s Period Piece , performed by Kaine Ward. Show starts 8pm; tickets from Dh550 2. The Marriage of Figaro Ballet, September 17 to 19 The Ukrainian National Ballet turns Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro into a ballet, bringing the 18th-century opera’s romance, mistaken identities and comedy to the stage as part of a work marking the 270th anniversary of Mozart’s birth. Shows at 2pm and 8pm; tickets from Dh350 3. God Save the Queen, October 5 Queen fans can get ready to go Radio Ga Ga with high-octane tribute show God Save the Queen, with the Argentine band recreating the symphonic pop and barrelling rockers of the UK band in a hit-filled set including Bohemian Rhapsody , We Will Rock You , Somebody to Love and Radio Ga Ga . Show starts 8.30pm; tickets from Dh295 4. Marilyne Naaman, October 6 Lebanese singer and actress Marilyne Naaman returns to Dubai Opera with a concert blending Arabic music and western pop influences. She reached a wider audience through The Voice France and has since released songs including Nachez , 5 Minutes and Lech Ma Bterjaa? . Her recording of Ana Min , the theme song from the television drama Bil Dam , became a regional hit in 2025. Doors open 7.30pm; show starts 8pm; tickets from Dh295 5. The Amy Winehouse Band, October 8 Amy Winehouse ’s appeal also came from the tight funk and jazz musicianship surrounding her. Musicians who performed alongside the late singer now take the stage for a concert celebrating her music. Led by her long-time bassist and musical director Dale Davis, the band will perform songs spanning Frank and Back to Black , including Rehab , Valerie and Love Is a Losing Game . Show starts 8pm; tickets from Dh300 6. Mohandis Al Thauq Al Aam, October 9 and 10 Kuwaiti theatre comes to Dubai Comedy Festival with Mohandis Al Thauq Al Aam , a new Arabic-language production written and directed by Abdulaziz Safar. Starring Khaled Al-Muzaffar, Khaled Al-Ojairi, Mohammad Safar and Iman Faisal, the play follows a couple navigating the chaos of expecting their first child. Show starts 8.30pm; tickets from Dh250 7. Dubai Comedy Festival, October 9 to 18 Dubai Comedy Festival returns for its seventh edition with 10 days of stand-up in several languages across venues in the city. Dubai Opera hosts several festival shows, with Munawar Faruqui, Mo Gilligan, John Achkar and Amit Tandon on the bill alongside the Arabic-language play Mohandis Al Thauq Al Aam . Show times and ticket prices vary 8. Gipsy Kings by Andre Reyes, October 22 A new twist on the sound of the beloved group has founding member Andre Reyes lead a symphonic version of the Gipsy Kings repertoire, with hits such as Bamboleo , Djobi Djoba , Volare and Un Amor reworked with full orchestral arrangements. Doors open 7.30pm; show starts 8pm; tickets from Dh395 9. Titize – A Venetian Dream, October 29 to 31 Venice is the inspiration for this eclectic show mixing circus, theatre, dance and live music. The 10-member cast use acrobatics, clowning and physical theatre to create a dreamlike version of Venice through its masks, waterways and carnival traditions. Shows at 2pm and 8pm; tickets from Dh275 10. Benjamin Clementine, November 1 British singer, pianist and composer Benjamin Clementine performs a programme combining experimental pop, contemporary classical music, jazz and poetry. His debut album, At Least for Now , won the Mercury Prize, while later recordings include I Tell a Fly and And I Have Been . Show starts 8pm; tickets from Dh500 11. Ministry of Sound Classical, November 7 Club anthems are given an orchestral spin as Ministry of Sound Classical brings dance music into the concert hall. Conducted by David Mahoney, the show combines a full orchestra and vocalists with electronic music, lighting and visuals, drawing on tracks associated with decades of club culture. Showtime and ticket prices TBC 12. Trevor Noah, November 25, 26, 28 and 29 Trevor Noah brings a new stand-up show to Dubai across four nights. The Emmy Award-winning South African comedian and former host of The Daily Show has released several Netflix specials, hosts the podcast What Now? with Trevor Noah and is the author of Born a Crime and Into the Uncut Grass . Show starts 8pm; tickets from Dh295 13. Hiba Tawaji and Ibrahim Maalouf, November 27 Hiba Tawaji and Ibrahim Maalouf will unite for a one-night performance at Dubai Opera, with the programme drawing on French musical heritage through a blend of chanson, jazz and contemporary composition.