Abu Dhabi pupils are ready to take centre stage after creating their own opera to celebrate the conservationist spirit of the UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi school has joined forces with the UAE's Ministry of Tolerance and the Arts Center at New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi to develop a thought-provoking new production, inspired by Sheikh Zayed's passion for the environment and sustainability and his belief that water is the country's most valuable resource.
More than 80 pupils - mostly drawn from Cranleigh with support from British International School Abu Dhabi and Brighton College Abu Dhabi - will bring their vision to life at NYU Abu Dhabi's Red Theater for a double bill of performances on October 25 and 26.
The opera is entitled Water in the Desert: A Zayed Legacy
Two years ago, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi created an opera, Beautiful World, which was based on a poem written by Sheikh Zayed.
Jo Lee, head of performing arts at the school, believes the project is instilling confidence in the children.
“This opera was created by the pupils and that’s very exciting,” said Ms Lee.
The project got underway in June with pupils from the three participating schools taking part in four days of workshops to develop the storyline, music, design and dance composition.
For a lot of children, this will be the first time they have taken part in an opera.
"The performing arts help children develop creativity, confidence, and enthusiasm for sharing, as well as a sense of responsibility,” said Ms Lee.
“Greening the desert is the legacy we are following from Sheikh Zayed.”
Pupils have been rehearsing the opera for the past month.
Most of the performers are aged between 11 and 18, with a group of six and seven-year-olds also involved.
”The opera looks at a journey through the desert while looking at our use of water and plastic. The opera is integrating Sheikh Zayed’s words into the songs as well as the design concept,” said Ms Lee.
Michael Wilson, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi’s headmaster, said the opera will help build a greater understanding of the UAE's heritage while boosting pupil's skills.
“Creative arts form an important part of our approach to education, helping young people grow in confidence and develop all kinds of important capabilities from teamwork to empathy, and risk-taking to problem-solving,” he said.
Saif, a 13-year-old Emirati pupil at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, is part of the music and drama group of the opera. He also participated in Beautiful World in 2016.
“The first opera was something new for me. This time, I am excited to see how this year will be different. I’m looking forward to this journey as it was a lot of fun last time,” he said.
“Performing this opera in the year of Zayed is special to me as a pupil and as an Emirati. It means a lot to me that we are showing people what Sheikh Zayed did.”
Siena, a 14-year-old Australian pupil at Cranleigh, is part of the dance company in the opera.
“I'm excited about working with pupils from outside the school,” she said.
Participating in an opera wasn’t something the pupil had considered before she worked on this project.
“I like the topic of environmental waste and what the UAE does to prevent that.
“I was one of the youngest people last time, and was really nervous and didn’t want to participate at first. Now, I’m a lot more comfortable.”
Mona, a 13-year-old Emirati pupil participating in the opera, said that the theme of environment and awareness appealed to her.
“We are talking about Sheikh Zayed and what the world should be,” she said.
“When I first joined Cranleigh, I was the shyest person here. Now I feel I am more confident. This experience helps us.”
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Read more:
Abu Dhabi pupils turn Sheikh Zayed’s poetry into opera
Dubai Opera's Music in the Studio announces second programme
Dubai Opera announces new season of shows: here are 6 to see
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
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Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
Europa League group stage draw
Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar
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“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Barings Bank
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
