Did you know that Dubai has a world-class opera house where the Czech language echoed this year? Dubai Opera surprises even those who came just for the sun and luxury.
Dubai is a city of contrasts – where futuristic buildings reach for the sky, and golden Rolls-Royces glide between traditional souks. And right beneath the majestic Burj Khalifa stands Dubai Opera – an elegant building inspired by the silhouette of a traditional dhow boat, serving as the city’s cultural heartbeat.
Since opening in 2016, it has attracted top international productions – from classic opera and ballet to jazz, musicals, and lectures. Its 2,000-seat venue can transform within hours: from opera house to concert hall or even a gala dinner venue. The technical facilities rival many of Europe’s finest stages.
And high above the audience hangs another Czech touch: an impressive chandelier by Czech glass design firm LASVIT. This kinetic light sculpture is made of over 3,000 hand-blown glass pieces and changes shape and lighting depending on the event. LASVIT has brought not just Czech craftsmanship, but also smart design into the heart of Dubai.
The beginning of 2025 saw a truly exceptional event: the Dubai Opera hosted the National Theatre Brno. It was the largest tour of a Czech theatre ensemble outside of Europe in history. Over 260 artists, technicians, and support staff traveled to Dubai, with stage sets and costumes shipped in four massive containers.
The program included three standout productions:
La Bayadère, performed by the ballet ensemble with guest stars from the Royal Ballet in London,
Mozart’s Requiem, performed by the Brno Philharmonic,
and the famous Eugene Onegin, featuring Aleš Jenis and Linda Ballová.
All performances sold out, showing that Czech art holds value even under the Arab skies. And it wasn’t the first time – Czech soprano Zuzana Marková also performed here in the past.
Visiting Tips
Tickets usually start at 150 AED (approx. €38 / $41), but for major events like West End musicals or world-renowned orchestras, prices may rise to 500–700 AED. We recommend booking in advance due to limited seating.
The dress code is smart casual – jeans and a t-shirt aren’t ideal, but a formal gown isn’t required. Its location is a bonus: just steps away from the opera are dozens of restaurants, making it easy to combine a cultural night out with a lovely dinner by the fountain.
If you want to experience something more than beaches and shopping in Dubai, the opera is the right place. And when the Czech language graces its stage, as it did this year with the National Theatre Brno, and Czech glass from Nový Bor sparkles above the audience, it's not just a cultural event – it's a proud reminder that Czech art has something meaningful to offer the world.
Kdybys chtěla zkrácené verze (např. perexy) nebo upravit tón podle publika (např. pro investory, cestovatele nebo kulturní nadšence), ráda ti s tím pomohu.
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