The St. Petersburg Opera Company performed in Abu Dhabi for the first time and repeated its success in Dubai

The St. Petersburg Opera Company's tour took place in the United Arab Emirates from November 19 to 23. The famous work by director Yuri Alexandrov — Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Rigoletto" — was presented in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with the support of the St. Petersburg City Government.

This trip was the company's second visit to the UAE: the troupe first introduced local audiences to this production back during "Expo 2020." Four years later, the St. Petersburg Opera brought Yuri Alexandrov's acclaimed production again. The performances were held on November 19 and 20 at the Zabeel Theatre in Dubai, and then on November 22 and 23 in Abu Dhabi at the Cultural Foundation. Neither venue had ever hosted such large-scale opera productions before. The St. Petersburg Opera's tour in Abu Dhabi was its first.

"The second visit of the St. Petersburg Opera to the UAE is of special significance to us. We have not simply returned, but have expanded the boundaries set in 2021 during 'Expo 2020,' where we first presented Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Rigoletto.' This time, our program was more extensive: we showed this production not only in Dubai but also in Abu Dhabi. We highly appreciate the support of the St. Petersburg City Government and the Culture Committee, which made this tour possible. On behalf of the entire company, I thank the audience for the stunning reception and the standing ovations. We are already discussing a tour in 2026 with the management of the Zabeel Theatre and the Cultural Foundation," said the theater's director, Evgenii Malygin.

The performance in Abu Dhabi was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the United Arab Emirates, Timur Zabirov. Timur Fatekhovich met with the management of the St. Petersburg Opera and personally congratulated the theater troupe on their successful tour.

The choice of "Rigoletto" was not accidental: it is not only a world masterpiece but also the calling card of the St. Petersburg Opera. Thanks to magnificent voices and exquisite costumes, the production fully immerses the audience in the plot.

"The essence is that our production raises universal human problems, in particular, the theme of double standards. Our main character, Rigoletto, is a criminal precisely because he leads a double life. It is this universality of the theme that has made the production understandable in all the countries where we have presented it. It speaks about personal relationships within the family, about our connection with children. His daughter, Gilda, was shielded from the world, hidden within four walls, and that is exactly why she suffered — her vulnerability made her a victim. Finally, there is the music, which can only be performed brilliantly. Today, our troupe handles this task magnificently," said People's Artist of Russia, founder and artistic director of the theater, and stage director of the production, Yuri Alexandrov.

Previously, the opera "Rigoletto" staged by Yuri Alexandrov was shown in Egypt, Greece, and Kazakhstan.

The Zabeel Theatre is located on the western crescent of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. It is a modern cultural venue with a classic 651-seat hall and a flexible seating system, allowing the space to be adapted for various formats — from theatrical productions and dance shows to concerts and stand-up performances. The theater's interior is designed in a Baroque style with Ottoman elements, creating an atmosphere of luxury and elegance.

The Cultural Foundation is an institution supporting the development of art and culture in the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. The Foundation organizes exhibitions, theatrical productions, music concerts, and educational programs. It serves as a platform for local and international artists, promotes cultural exchange, and broadens creative horizons. The Cultural Foundation plays a key role in popularizing cultural heritage and contemporary art, as well as in uniting the community through cultural events and dialogue.