Dubai Opera is a truly unique venue and the emirate’s first purpose built multi-format performing arts theatre situated in the heart of Downtown Dubai.
Designed by Janus Rostock of Atkins, Dubai Opera resembles a traditional dhow boat and all elements of the interior and exterior are in keeping with the heritage of Dubai which revolves largely around the water-based industries such as fishing and pearl fishing. In keeping with the design is a stunning new creation from LASVIT which will greet guests as they enter Dubai Opera.
The dynamically-lit glass sculpture titled Symphony by LASVIT will span three floors of the main atrium and like the building itself, the sculpture was inspired by the element of water and Dubai’s maritime past. It is composed of thousands of individually crafted glass pearls - the concept of pearls adding preciousness, rarity and timelessness, which are qualities inherently present in hand-blown glass and crystal. The overall shape of the sculpture also draws its inspiration from fishing nets in a vortex of bubbles rising through the depths of the sea. This unique lighting sculpture was produced by LASVIT, a manufacturer of unique works of glass, including bespoke lighting installations, glass artworks, and award-winning collections. LASVIT is well known throughout the Emirates for their lighting sculptures, particularly in the field of luxury hospitality, as well as private residences and public spaces, such as the Dubai metro. LASVIT’s motto of transforming glass into breathtaking light and design experiences certainly comes alive in Dubai Opera.
“The theme of the sculpture arises from traditional and cultural elements of the UAE. I aimed for a very organic appearance,” says Libor Sostak, LASVIT’s in-house designer and creator of the piece. “But LASVIT’s home, Prague, is one of the original centers of opera, a city favored by Mozart. We have a legacy of historic theatres and music halls, some of which LASVIT helped reconstruct. I envisioned a modern-day lighting centrepiece that would create the same sense of luxury and grandeur that opera deserves. The dynamic lighting is very sophisticated and allows us to program effects to match the music. Visitors will naturally be drawn to light and music, forming a beating heart within the space.”
The jewel-like heart of this landmark building is 11 metres long, 5 metres wide and has an overall height of 27 meters. This 5 tonne sculpture is lit by nearly 3,000 internal LED sources and sparkles with thousands of hand-blown crystal components. The individual pearls contain tiny bubbles of air captured in the glass to enhance its refraction of light, an effect essential for the dynamic lighting of the sculpture. In a subtle reference to the trade that stood as the foundation of Dubai, the geometric spacing of glass elements resembles fishing nets moving through water.
“I’ve said before that Dubai Opera and the Opera District will encapsulate not only a fantastic range of performance genres but also bespoke and exclusive cultural commissions of all kinds,” comments Chief Executive of Dubai Opera, Jasper Hope, “Working with the core elements of Dubai Opera’s overall design the team at LASVIT have created a sculpture which will be another jewel in our collection for guests to enjoy every time they visit the venue.”
Dubai Opera will offer a varied and exciting programme of all performing arts from ballet and opera to musicals and concerts. Some of the highlights which have already been announced as part of the inaugural season include Les Misérables, The Pearl Fishers, Giselle and The Nutcracker on Ice. Full details of the line-up is available online at dubaiopera.com.
The venue will offer the ultimate flexibility of a proscenium arch theatre, an acoustic concert hall and a 2,000m2 flat floor event space. The configuration will allow for approximately 2,000 seats for a concert and up to 1,000 for a gala dinner. Outside of the main auditorium, the venue has a smaller performance space and rehearsal room and a stunning rooftop restaurant and sky garden with views of Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain.
