Tamerlano at Dubai Opera

Presented by Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation

"Handel’s Baroque orchestration enriched by the colours and timbres of Uzbek traditional instruments, reimagined in a new musical version by celebrated composer Kirill Richter."

For the first time in Dubai,  one of Handel’s most powerful operas will be performed in a new cross-cultural reimagining, uniting European Baroque tradition with the musical heritage of Central Asia.

In January 2026, Tamerlano comes to Dubai Opera in a spectacular large-scale staging that reinterprets Handel’s 1724 masterpiece through the creative vision of world-renowned Italian director Stefano Poda.

Inspired by the historical figure of Amir Temur (Tamerlane), the opera tells a story of love, power, and destiny — a deeply human drama between conquerors and kings, set at the crossroads of cultures.

This monumental production features more than 160 artists on stage, including the acclaimed National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, performing together with the State Choir, the Uzbegim ensemble, and the Orchestra of National Instruments. The result is a sound world that bridges the West and the East — Handel’s Baroque orchestration enriched by the colours and timbres of Uzbek traditional instruments, reimagined in a new musical version by celebrated composer Kirill Richter.

A Unique Artistic Vision

The production, commissioned by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, is conceived by director Stefano Poda, whose holistic artistic approach merges direction, stage design, costumes, lighting, and choreography into one unified aesthetic language.
Visually inspired by Timurid architecture and symbolism, the staging offers a poetic dialogue between history and modernity — an immersive theatrical experience that transcends borders.

The National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, under the baton of Honoured Artist of Uzbekistan Alibek Kabdurakhmanov, leads the performance with remarkable artistry, joined by a constellation of international soloists and dancers from the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi.

Bringing this production to Dubai Opera represents a milestone in the cultural collaboration between the Middle East and Central Asia, celebrating shared values of artistic excellence, diversity, and dialogue through music.

Please note: This concert is a venue hire presented by a third-party promoter (Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation) and is not produced or presented by Dubai Opera.

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