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The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) today announced its support for a first ever UAE production of opera for children with the participation of students from 3 different schools in Abu Dhabi. The opera, to be interpreted in French with one piece of traditional Arabic music on the oud, falls within the Foundation’s comprehensive educational programme and aims at educating children about the classical arts and encouraging cultural dialogue.
The opera, which will be presented during two performances at the Abu Dhabi Theatre on May 28, will be the culmination of almost seven months of preparations, including auditions with Artistic Director David Godfroid, who currently heads the children choir at the Capitole Opera House of Toulouse, the study of musical works taught by music teachers in each of the schools participating in the project, on stage production and rehearsals with the orchestra.
The project, also supported by the French Embassy in the UAE, brings together about 50 school children from various nationalities in a choir established specifically for this purpose. The first ever production of this unique opera will provide a platform for children to express themselves through art. Over the long term, the project envisages maintaining the children’s choir and producing similar events on an annual basis, providing an opportunity for young artists to pursue their interests in the classical arts. In addition to the involvement of children in the opera, young Emirati students from the Higher College of Technology- HCT Women’s College, bring their contribution by designing the masks, costumes, and the full stage set up. This will be part of their annual project, providing them with the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge they gain as part of their degree programmes.
Inspiring creativity and encouraging cultural dialogue lie at the heart of this project which falls within the Foundation’s educational programme.
Her Excellency Hoda Al-Khamis Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, explained:
“Inspiring creativity and encouraging cultural dialogue lie at the heart of this production of Children’s opera. The project, which brings together children from various nationalities, reflects the rich multicultural nature of the UAE society and the principles of mutual understanding and cultural dialogue that are deeply rooted in this society. The production itself, with French interpretation and Arabic music elements, seeks to engage children in a deeper understanding of the differences and similarities between cultures and the importance of using art to enhance cultural cooperation. We are confident that this innovative production will inspire a lasting legacy of creativity among our new generation of artists and will encourage them to refine their skills .”
The educational programme of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation encompasses year round activities that promote art education and encourage the involvement of students from schools and universities across the UAE in artistic initiatives. The latest of these initiatives, the Children’s Opera production, will be presented in two performances- 3pm and 5pm on Friday 28 May at the Abu Dhabi Theatre. The performances are open to the public.
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