Dubai Opera, Dubai
Dubai Opera, a distinguished landmark in the heart of Downtown Dubai, represents a significant cultural advancement for the United Arab Emirates. This multi-format performing arts centre opened its doors on August 31, 2016, with a performance by the renowned Plácido Domingo.
Nestled within The Opera District, Dubai Opera was developed by Emaar Properties, underscoring Dubai's commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural scene. It is designed to host a diverse range of performances and events, including theatre, opera, ballet, concerts, conferences, and exhibitions. The inaugural season notably featured Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" opera and a performance by the esteemed tenor José Carreras.
The architectural design of Dubai Opera is as remarkable as its cultural offerings. Crafted by Janus Rostock of Atkins, the building is inspired by the traditional dhow, a sailing vessel integral to the region's heritage. This unique design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally versatile. The 'bow' of the structure houses the main stage, orchestra, and seating, while the 'hull' comprises waiting areas, taxi drop-off points, and parking spaces.
What sets Dubai Opera apart is its ingenious use of space. The venue boasts a flat floor capacity of 1,800 square meters (19,000 square feet), which can be transformed for various events. Utilizing hydraulic lifts and seating wagons, the centre can convert from a traditional theatre to a concert hall, banquet hall, or exhibition space, with the ability to relocate 900 of its 2,000 seats. This flexibility allows for a wide range of events, from weddings and gala dinners to fashion shows and exhibitions.
Moreover, Dubai Opera enhances its visitors' experience with its rooftop restaurant, offering panoramic views of the iconic Burj Khalifa. This combination of architectural innovation, cultural diversity, and functional versatility makes Dubai Opera not just a venue for the arts, but a symbol of Dubai's growing status as a global city rich in cultural experiences.
Nestled within The Opera District, Dubai Opera was developed by Emaar Properties, underscoring Dubai's commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural scene. It is designed to host a diverse range of performances and events, including theatre, opera, ballet, concerts, conferences, and exhibitions. The inaugural season notably featured Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" opera and a performance by the esteemed tenor José Carreras.
The architectural design of Dubai Opera is as remarkable as its cultural offerings. Crafted by Janus Rostock of Atkins, the building is inspired by the traditional dhow, a sailing vessel integral to the region's heritage. This unique design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally versatile. The 'bow' of the structure houses the main stage, orchestra, and seating, while the 'hull' comprises waiting areas, taxi drop-off points, and parking spaces.
What sets Dubai Opera apart is its ingenious use of space. The venue boasts a flat floor capacity of 1,800 square meters (19,000 square feet), which can be transformed for various events. Utilizing hydraulic lifts and seating wagons, the centre can convert from a traditional theatre to a concert hall, banquet hall, or exhibition space, with the ability to relocate 900 of its 2,000 seats. This flexibility allows for a wide range of events, from weddings and gala dinners to fashion shows and exhibitions.
Moreover, Dubai Opera enhances its visitors' experience with its rooftop restaurant, offering panoramic views of the iconic Burj Khalifa. This combination of architectural innovation, cultural diversity, and functional versatility makes Dubai Opera not just a venue for the arts, but a symbol of Dubai's growing status as a global city rich in cultural experiences.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Dubai. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Dubai Opera on Map
Sight Name: Dubai Opera
Sight Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (See walking tours in Dubai)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (See walking tours in Dubai)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Create Your Own Walk in Dubai
Creating your own self-guided walk in Dubai is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Dubai Downtown Walking Tour
Dubai’s evolution from a small trading post to a global metropolis is one of ambition and adaptability. Archaeological findings trace human activity in this area back to around 3000 BC, long before the modern skyline emerged. By the 7th century AD, Islam had taken root across the Arabian Peninsula, and Dubai’s position along the Gulf made it a natural stop on early maritime trade routes. The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Deira Shopping Walk
Nestled along the northern bank of Dubai Creek, Deira is one of the city's oldest districts, with roots stretching back to the mid-1700s. Back then, small trading vessels used the creek's calm waters as a launchpad for merchant activity, setting the stage for Deira’s rise as a bustling commercial hub. By the 19th and early 20th centuries, as pearling and other industries thrived, Deira... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Old Dubai Walking Tour
Imagine Dubai before the glitz, the skyscrapers, and the world records. The Old Quarter—incorporating the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood—is where the story really began. Set along Dubai Creek in the 19th century, it was the city’s beating commercial heart, perfectly positioned to reel in merchants from India, Iran, and East Africa. The result was a multicultural trading hot spot long... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Top 15 Uniquely Dubai Things to Buy
One big shopping center, such as Dubai, makes it easy and hard, at the same time, to stop one's choice on a proper souvenir to take home. A handful of gems, a Rolex watch, maybe, or a flying carpet... All of these may last in time, but come at a price. Here are some of the more traditional and,...