Dubai Opera has unveiled its 2024-2025 season lineup — more than 50 performances spanning opera, ballet, musicals, and concerts, featuring over 1,000 performers from September 2024 through early 2025. The announcement cements the venue's position at the heart of Dubai's cultural scene and its eighth consecutive season of world-class programming.
Grand Opening Week: Aida, Giselle, and Beethoven
The Dubai Opera 2024-2025 season opens with a landmark week courtesy of the Polish National Opera and Ballet. Verdi's Aida runs 13–15 September, followed by the romantic ballet Giselle from 18–21 September. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony closes the opening stretch on 22 September, rounding out one of the most ambitious opening weeks the venue has hosted.
Musicals, Ballets, and Holiday Highlights
Musical theatre fans have plenty to look forward to. Singin' in the Rain — making its Middle East premiere — runs 30 November to 14 December. Stephen Sondheim's dark classic Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street follows with its regional debut, 1–8 February 2025.
For the holiday season, the Astana Theatre's Ballet Theatre and State Opera Orchestra bring The Nutcracker to the stage from 19–22 December 2024, making it a natural choice for families over the festive break.
Concert Lineup and International Artists
Beyond opera and ballet, the season features acclaimed global acts and composers. Academy Award-winning composers Hans Zimmer and Gustavo Santaolalla are among the headline concert acts, alongside symphonic performer Max Richter. Pop and rock audiences can expect Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Carla Bruni, Dire Straits Legacy, and Deep Purple's Glenn Hughes. Arab music is represented by Majid Jordan and Ibrahim Maalouf, while Umm Kulthum & The Golden Era (12–13 October) honours the Arab world's most iconic voice.
American Express Middle East Partnership
Dubai Opera has named American Express Middle East as its Official Payments Partner for the 2024-2025 season. Card Members receive priority access and exclusive benefits — a partnership that aligns with the venue's drive to attract premium audiences and support Dubai's D33 economic strategy.
Dubai's Cultural Vision: D33 and Global Standing
Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of Arts and Literature at Dubai Culture, noted that the season gives voice to talent from Dubai and beyond, reinforcing the emirate's reputation as a destination that offers the best of the performing arts. The programming is explicitly designed to support the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda, which positions Dubai as a global hub for culture, business, and leisure.
With more than 250,000 guests attending the previous season, the 2024-2025 programme raises the bar further — making it the most diverse and internationally representative slate in the venue's eight-year history.
