The Royal Opera House Muscat has celebrated the centenaries of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner. And now the ROHM joins leading opera houses around the world in paying special tribute to one of opera’s greatest singers, the legendary Luciano Pavarotti, marking a decade since his death in 2007.
The Royal Opera House Muscat’s homage to Luciano Pavarotti will take place on Thursday, December 14, 2017, commencing in the Grand Hall of the Royal Opera House Muscat at 11 am with the formal inauguration of an exclusive and historic exhibition of Pavarotti memorabilia. The Chief Guest will be His Highness Sayyid Kamil Fahad al Said, Board Member of the Royal Opera House Muscat, who will give the opening address.
In an interview, HH Sayyid Kamil commented on the significance of this occasion: “The exhibition features treasured memorabilia from a remarkable career that helped change the way the world views opera. With the legendary power of his voice, the grandeur of his personality and his wonderful, down-to-earth humanity, Luciano Pavarotti brought the fine art of opera to a much broader spectrum of listeners and opened millions of hearts and minds around the world to the sheer joy, the beauty and truth of opera with its magnificent tragedies and clever comedies”.
This landmark occasion will also be graced by the participation of Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovani Pavarotti who established the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation. Madam Mantovani Pavarotti will speak at the opening of the Exhibition and will also be the featured guest for ROHM’s Coffee & Dates session on Wednesday, December 13 at 7 pm.
On display from the formal Opening on December 14 until January 6, 2018, the treasures in ROHM’s Pavarotti Exhibition include written tributes from notable admirers such as Diana, Princess of Wales and Nelson Mandela, as well as important documents that Pavarotti himself collected, such as letters written by two of his favourite composers — Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi. Along with costumes from some of Pavarotti’s iconic roles, original scores from famous operas, awards, gold records and signature personal possessions, the Exhibition includes something that may surprise many — a painting by Pavarotti.
The celebration on Thursday,December 14 culminates in a fabulous Gala Concert at 7 pm, featuring four of the best opera voices of today. The renowned Italian singer, Fiorenza Cedolins who won the 1996 Luciano Pavarotti Vocal Competition and later sang with Pavarotti in Puccini’s Tosca, plays a leading role in the concert. Also starring is Sumi Jo, a Grammy Award-winning lyric coloratura soprano from South Korea, known for her interpretations of the bel canto repertoire, as well as for her outstanding musicianship.
The lead tenors are two superb Italian opera stars, Francesco Meli and Marcello Giordani, both of whom are virtuosic performers and very fine interpreters of bel canto. These well-chosen singers have a natural and meaningful link with Pavarotti, having studied and/or performed on stage with him. Their treasured memories and deeply rooted esteem make for truly inspired performances that evoke the enduring spirit of Pavarotti.
ROHM’s Pavarotti Exhibition is open to the general public from 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday to Thursday, from December 14, 2017 to January 6, 2018. Entrance to the Exhibition is free, as is admission to both the interactive ROHM Coffee & Dates session with Nicoletta Mantovani Pavarotti on Wednesday, December 13 at 7 pm and the Lunch Music concert with young singers from the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation on Saturday December 16 at 12:30 pm.
Tickets for ROHM’s Gala Concert, Homage to Luciano Pavarotti on Thursday December 14, 2017 at 7 pm can be booked on the ROHM website: www.rohmuscat.org.om
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