Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Tickets are now on sale for the landmark Arabic opera “Antar & Abla,” set to run from December 9 to 14 at Abu Dhabi’s International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City.
Audiences will be treated to six performances over six enchanting nights, blending the grandeur of opera with the richness of Arab heritage.
The timeless tale of Antar and Abla has captivated generations, inspiring countless literary and artistic works. Now, this legendary story returns with a contemporary touch in a groundbreaking opera that brings Arab creativity to the global stage.
The production has achieved recognition with the Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Arabic Language in Cultural Excellence, honouring its artistic and cultural significance and its role in strengthening the presence of Arabic in the hearts of new generations.
Speaking about the production, Imane Alsalem Tlamid, acting CEO of Bidaya, said, “The Arabic Opera Antar & Abla is more than an opera; it is a story beyond boundaries. With innovative staging that transforms a tennis court into a grand stage, immersive visual technology, and the participation of the Lanzhou Symphony Orchestra and Shaolin Monks from China, this production celebrates Arab heritage in a modern way and reflects the UAE’s vision of openness, diversity, and cultural dialogue.”
The performances will take place at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City, with state-of-the-art lighting and visual technologies designed to create an unforgettable, immersive experience.
The show will also feature performances by Shaolin monks and the Lanzhou Symphony Orchestra, symbolising the spirit of cultural collaboration between the UAE and China – a partnership that has flourished for over 40 years across trade, industry and culture.
Hosting this production highlights Abu Dhabi’s role as a regional hub for culture and dialogue, in a nation that brings together more than 200 nationalities living in harmony.
The opera is designed for a broad audience – families and individuals of all ages – offering younger generations a chance to reconnect with their language and heritage, while presenting opera, once considered an elite art form, in a way that is modern, accessible, and engaging.
At its core, Antar & Abla carries a humanitarian message: love can transcend every boundary and create miracles. This love goes beyond romantic sentiment to embrace goodness, homeland and humanity, a timeless force that drives peace, understanding, and unity among people.
More than an opera, it is a journey beyond boundaries - melding timeless Arab heritage with the brilliance of world-class performance.
Tickets for Antar & Abla are available via Platinumlist.com.
