This is going to be Epic
PARTNER CONTENT: This December, Abu Dhabi is set to witness a spectacle unlike any other. From 9 to 14 December, the city’s International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City will be transformed into a breathtaking open-air opera theatre, a place where Arab legend meets global artistry under the stars.
Tickets are now on sale for Antar & Abla, a landmark Arabic opera that reimagines one of the region’s most enduring love stories. The production promises six mesmerising performances filled with music, movement and meaning, where romance, valor, and poetry intertwine in a dazzling celebration of heritage and innovation.
An Opera Rooted in Heritage, Elevated by Artistry
At the heart of Antar & Abla lies the timeless Bedouin tale of the warrior-poet Antar and his beloved Abla, a story that has inspired generations of artists and dreamers. Now, it returns in an entirely new form: a world-class opera that bridges the ancient and the modern, the Arabic and the universal.
Produced by Bidaya in collaboration with Opera Lebanon, the production has already been honored with the Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Arabic Language in Cultural Excellence, a recognition of its role in reviving the Arabic language through the arts and sharing its beauty with the world.
“The Arabic Opera Antar & Abla is more than an opera; it’s a story beyond boundaries,” says Imane Alsalem Tlamid, CEO of Bidaya. “Through innovative staging, immersive technology, and a multicultural cast, we’re celebrating Arab heritage in a contemporary way, reflecting the UAE’s vision of openness, diversity, and cultural dialogue.”
A World-Class Collaboration
The show’s grand scale is matched only by its ambition. The stage: a transformed tennis court, will come alive through state-of-the-art lighting, immersive visual effects, and a global ensemble that includes the Lanzhou Symphony Orchestra and legendary Shaolin Monks of China.
Their participation symbolizes the enduring friendship between the UAE and China, a cultural exchange built on more than four decades of collaboration in trade, art, and innovation.
Opera for All
While Antar & Abla honors an epic love story, it also speaks to something much greater, a belief that love, in all its forms, can transcend boundaries. It’s an ode not only to passion but to unity, humanity, and the power of art to connect hearts and cultures.
Designed for all audiences: families, students, and seasoned art lovers alike, the production redefines opera as inclusive, modern, and accessible. It’s an invitation for younger generations to reconnect with their language and heritage while discovering a new dimension of Arabic storytelling.
Plan Your Night at the Opera
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Tickets are available now through Platinumlist.com, with early bird prices starting from AED 160. Regular prices range from AED 200 on weekdays to AED 250 on weekends, across multiple seating categories. With just six shows scheduled, early booking is highly recommended.
Each performance begins at 7pm, offering audiences an unforgettable evening under the Abu Dhabi night sky, where the desert’s poetry meets the grandeur of the opera.
Antar & Abla is more than a performance, it’s a cultural milestone, a bridge between past and future, and a proud testament to the creativity flourishing across the Arab world.
From AED 160. For more info and tickets, visit Platinum List
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