TOWARDS LIGHT — By Yahya al Naabi — The Royal Opera House is one of the modern cultural and artistic edifices in the Omani history that make us feel proud. The project marks a quantum leap in raising the public awareness. The Royal Decree was issued with the objective of setting up a beacon of civilisation that deserves to be hailed as it is expected to be second only to the Egyptian Opera House which was built at the time of Khedive Ismael in the mid 19th century.
When you see the Royal Opera House stands lofty overlooking the carriageway linking Muscat Governorate with other wilayats, you will be filled with hopes of future generations with enhanced awareness. The keenly-awaited Royal Opera House is a requirement of such a unique nation distinguished by its cultural diversity and richness. It is nice to watch the classic arts which reflect the nations’ spirit of civilisation being displayed in Oman.
The Royal Opera House is expected to draw huge numbers of visitors from neighbouring countries turning out to the Opera to attend the activities thereby creating an atmosphere of cultural tourism throughout the year.
The West gave much attention to the opera art some four hundred years ago, they held performances of plays and songs that reflect the essence of humanity that loves the beauty and life. The Arab Sufism added several forms of arts the most important of which is the Islamic Muwashshahat (terza rima). Such art forms were performed in the Arab theatre in the form of opera arts. The opera is a tool which brings to life ancient arts that represent the human civilisation.
The authority overseeing the Royal Opera House should handle the responsibility as well as it should and is supposed to make sure that the employees concerned with running the opera programmes are highly competent and well aware of what is presented on the stage. It should be known to everyone that the Royal directives and decrees reflect the highest degree of civilisation, and are aimed at preserving the rich Omani culture. We have already seen the positive effects created by giant edifices that came as a result of Royal directive such as the Grand Sultan Qaboos Mosque and the Royal Opera House. Also let’s not forget the Sultan Qaboos academic chairs which were set up in outstanding world universities.
Finally, we hope that the people in charge of the Royal Opera House not let down those who have been waiting with great expectation to see the opera achieve an outstanding success, so lets not fail those who felicitated us on the construction of such a unique project.
