5 shows coming to Dubai Opera this year: from Guy Manoukian to comedian Nemr

It's been a muted year, globally, in terms of live entertainment.

However, the curtains will soon rise on a number of shows at Dubai Opera, with a new schedule of music, dance and comedy announced for the coming months.

The Downtown Dubai venue will welcome a number of stars to the stage in a series of just-revealed performances, with Lebanese-Armenian musician Guy Manoukian and Palestinian singer Omar Kamal among the line-up.

The shows, which will take place between October and December, have been announced to mark Dubai Opera's fourth anniversary, which fell on August 31.

Tickets will be subject to an early-bird offer until Monday, September 21, with a 20 per cent discount available on VIP and Platinum seats.

Since opening its doors in 2016, the theatre has hosted more than 1,000 performances, including productions of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, as well as shows by the likes of Lea Salonga, Hussain Al Jassmi and Placido Domingo.

Safety measures have been introduced at the venue amid the coronavirus pandemic, with guests required to wear face masks, undergo temperature checks, ensure social distancing and use contactless payment.

Here's a closer look at who is coming to Dubai Opera, and when, as part of the venue's new season.

Nemr: Thursday, October 22

Lebanese-American stand-up comedian Nemr Abou Nassar will make his Dubai Opera debut with brand-new material. The Lebanon-born funnyman, who regularly performs in the US, Europe and Middle East, is known for his 2017 comedy special, No Bombing in Beirut, which was filmed in Lebanon and the US.

Nemr is known to touch on politics, social issues and his experiences in the Middle East and the US in his material, marrying humour with biting observations.

Ronnie Scott's 'Giants of Jazz': Friday, November 6

This tribute to the pioneers of the genre will be filled with music, film and images, taking guests through an entire century of jazz. Put together by London's famed Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, the show will feature renditions of tracks by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker.

Flamenco Passion: Wednesday, November 11

This evocative ensemble are masters of the fiery dance style, born in southern Spain. Putting a modern twist on flamenco, their show – De Lucia a Camaron – will pay tribute to guitarist Paco de Lucia and vocalist Camaron de la Isla, whose partnership gave rise to the Nuevo Flamenco wave. Expect passionate performances and contemporary takes on the genre's soundtracks.

Guy Manoukian: Thursday, November 12

The Lebanese-Armenian pianist and composer sold out the venue in 2018, and will return to the Dubai Opera stage this autumn. Manoukian, who also helped judge Dubai Opera’s talent quest From Home to Stage earlier this year, is known for fusing eastern and western styles, and for his modern takes on Arabic orchestral classics. This time, he will be joined on stage by award-winning Lebanese violinist Ara Malikian, with the two touted to pay homage to their shared Armenian heritage in the first performance of its kind.

Omar Kamal: Saturday, December 12

The Palestinian singer will also mark his return to the venue, following his sold-out show last year. He may be regarded as the the region's answer to Frank Sinatra, but Kamal also has his own brand of balladry, inspired by classical Arabic music. Expect a dynamic set full of songs by legendary crooners, as well as his own originals.

Tickets for the shows can be booked at  dubaiopera.com