The annual Military Tattoo, performed in the grand maidan of the Royal Opera House Muscat, always instils a deep sense of patriotism and pride in the Sultanate of Oman from all who attend. This year was no exception.
With the tight new organisation put in place by ROHM staff there was ample seating for everyone, a punctual start and smooth running of the majestic production.
Before the main performance at 7 pm each evening the public was treated to a lively foretaste of the Military Jazz and Steel Bands to come while waiting in their seats.
The show began with a video, projected onto a huge screen erected in front of the Opera House facade, of highlights from last year’s production. Throughout the 75 minute spectacle last weekend the whole performance was screened via CCTV to enable everyone to see the performance clearly. Sometimes close-up, sometimes from an aerial drone, viewers could watch the intricate patterns created on the maidan’s marble floor.
The Guard of Honour by the Military Band of the Royal Army of Oman began proceedings to welcome the Guest of Honour, HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said.
The opening ‘Fanfare’ was given by the ‘Pipes and Drums of the Combined Forces of Oman’ with arrangements of Classical pieces. Popular favourites included Rossini’s, “William Tell Overture”, the “Toreador Song” from Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ and Strauss’s beloved clap-along chestnut, “Radetzky March”, beguiling an awe struck audience. The Jazz Band, under director Douglas Hill, added a rhythmic and visual feast and featured a splendid Xylophone and metallophone section.
Guest musicians this year were from the ‘Royal Symphonic Band of Belgian Guides’. Men and women alike marched in perfect formation with meticulous footwork, resplendent in black attire with mauve leg stripes, accompanied by their rousing brass and woodwind sections.
Bugles and percussion heralded a dazzling virtuoso Xylophone solo over lush brass chords. Shrill clarinets and piccolos from the woodwinds created a movie-like texture, building up to a huge sense of tension at the final climax.
The following slow march saw the participants performing goose steps in perfectly coordinated choreography to military trumpets and a warm trombone chorus. A driving cross-rhythm repeated in anticipation, punctuated by massive booms from the gong. Stirring timpani and bass drum interruptions exploded into another filmic ending. The visitors received a rousing applause as they left the arena to a Straussian March.
The men and women of the ‘Combined Military Bands’ performed Scottish and Omani marching tunes featuring bagpipes and drums, mesmerisingly rich in colour and variation. Three drum majors led the marchers, twirling maces while drum sticks were spinning in this visual and aural frenzy.
A highlight of the evening came with combined choirs, operatic chorus, pipes and drums, the jazz band and Dhofari folk dancers in traditional costumes. The ladies entered the arena in deep red velvet dresses bearing incense burners and spreading puffs of rich frankincense clouds throughout the square. Men jumped and whirled ceremonial swords and khanjars in traditional gesture. This was a most popular item and was received with resounding applause and yelps. It commanded pride and adulation from an appreciative crowd, spellbound by the exciting choreography.
The men and women of the ‘Combined Inter-service Massed Bands’ performed the final slow march, vibrant in their many coloured jackets and pipers proud in their green tartan costumes.
The Grand Finale was a tour-de-force involving all participants in an astounding ‘Display of Combined Forces and Guests’. Music was arranged for the entire company, opening with a quick-step March which included the Steel Band with a syncopated drum rhythm. The choirs and Brass sections performed the magnificent, “I am Omani” — the effect was overwhelmingly powerful.
After the formal conclusion to the evening the Steel Band, under the expert baton of Caribbean-born Lennox Jordan, played the dancing audience out into the night with some familiar reggae and pop numbers, bringing the 2025 festivities to a close for another year.
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