Doha, Qatar: As part of the activities of the inaugural session of the Arab Opera Festival, the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), held the second meeting of directors of opera houses and theatres from 15 Arab countries yesterday.
The meeting discussed a number of topics, including following up on the implementation of the outcomes of the previous session, most notably the launch of the “Arab Opera Houses Portal” as an interactive platform for exchanging experiences and expertise in various elements of opera and its branches, with the aim of building Arab artistic and creative capacities.
The meeting also addressed the development of an executive action plan to coordinate the exchange of performances between Arab theaters and opera houses.
Participants discussed several proposals for funding and producing joint Arab operatic works. The attendees praised Katara’s designation as a “City of Arab Opera” and its hosting of the annual opera festival and meetings of relevant institutions in Arab countries, in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).
The meeting concluded with the adoption of several key outcomes, most notably that the theme of the next session will be “The Economics and Management of Arab Opera,” and that the training courses will focus on composition, conducting, and performance.
The inaugural Arab Opera Festival concluded with a joint performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Ahmed Atef.
The first Arab Opera Festival took place from December 8th to 10th, with the participation of 15 Arab opera houses and the attendance of His Excellency Professor Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). The festival included many events, including dazzling opera performances, the launch of the electronic platform “Arab Opera” in addition to the launch of the “Katara Arab Opera City” model, and honouring the Egyptian musician Omar Khairat for his works that have influenced the existence of opera lovers.
Two training workshops were also organized, attended by a large number of those interested and affiliated with Arab opera houses.
