News DeskMuscat, Oman – The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) continues its thrilling 2024/25 season with an extraordinary line-up in January 2025, featuring world-class performances and inspiring educational activities for audiences of all ages. From magical tales brought to life on ice to rich displays of cultural heritage and operatic masterpieces, the month promises unforgettable experiences.
Beauty and the Beast on Ice, 2,3,4 January – British-Omani ice-skating champion Amani Fancy stars in this enchanting production of Beauty and the Beast. Brought to life by the International Ice Stars, the show combines breathtaking choreography, aerial acrobatics, and special effects, creating a magical icy wonderland for families to enjoy.
Folk Music Festival, 16 & 17 January – This year’s Folk Music Festival unites Omani folk traditions with performances from Bulgaria, South Korea, and Paraguay. Held in the stunning maidan of the Royal Opera House of Musical Arts, the event celebrates heritage and cultural exchange through music, dance, and storytelling.
Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi, 23 & 25 January – Director of the Mariinsky Theatre and world-renowned conductorValery Gergiev leads the Mariinsky Opera in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, a powerful tale of love, loss, and reconciliation. Directed by Andrea De Rosa, the production features historical costumes and video projections of the Ligurian Sea. A pre-performance talk offers additional insights into the opera’s themes and history. Opera enthusiasts can attend Opera Talks (January 22), exploring the storyline and dramatic highlights of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra with live musical excerpts, while a Lunch Music session (January 18) in the Opera Galleria offers a relaxed performance of some of the opera’s most beloved arias.
Accompanying a stellar weekend with the Mariinsky Opera, ROHM presents Opera Masterpices an opera recital with young Mariinsky soloists on 24 January – Rising stars from the Mariinsky Theatre present a recital of Russian arias by composers such as Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. This special performance highlights emerging operatic talent and the beauty of Russian vocal traditions.
ROHM’s January calendar also includes a range of educational and community events with free admission, offering enriching experiences for all. Highlights include Paganini’s Violins and Italian Violin Making (January 14), a talk and workshop featuring violin experts and a special session for Omani students as part of the Paganini for Everyone initiative. Children aged 7 and above can enjoy a Let’s Read storytelling session (January 11) in ROHM’s Music Library, featuring readings of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in both Arabic and English.
