The benefits of being born in an extremely culturally inclined family are manifold.
I’ve been educated in Indian classical vocals since I was six and Baba’s love for western classical has ensured that I know a little about the subject. When other parents would be taking their children to parks and amusement centres, my father was booking tickets for three to listen to the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra at the majestic Al Bustan Palace Hotel. Even though it was quite out of budget.
Ever since I left Muscat, I have been yearning to listen to a concerto, a hint of an opera or even a solo performance. Perhaps I didnt look hard enough or missed concerts by an inch, but I was deprived.
Naturally, when I heard that His Majesty had ordered the construction of the first ever full-fledged opera house in Oman, I was excited beyond measure.
The Royal Opera House Muscat was thus commissioned and opened in October 2011. I was not as lucky to witness the grand opening of the ROH where stalwarts from all over the globe descended to this quiet bit of the Arabian peninsula.
Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, Yo-Yo Ma and the American Ballet Theatre to name a few
Last week, after much contemplation over what show we should actually see, we decided on the Stravinsky Ballet – a mesmerising performance by the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal – a Canada based ballet company. Bringing life to compostions by 20th century western classical veteran – Igor Stravinsky, it was my first ever ballet performance and I had seen nothing like it before.
Apart from the brilliant music and the magnificience of the dancers, what one cannot miss is the structure itself. One of the most beautiiful buildings in all of Oman, the ROHM interiors leave one gasping for air. The inlaid marble, crystal chandeliers and hand-carved wood is remarkable, not to forget the Omani essence one gets at every section of the edifice.
For those in Muscat who have not been to a performance yet. Its definitely something one should not miss out on. With the Nutcracker scheduled in December and Zakir Hussain gracing the stage in early February, I’m sure I will be a frequent visitor.
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| ROHM at night. |
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| Ma and Baba 🙂 |
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| The exquisite woodwork in the ceiling |