The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) has announced its 2026–2027 season in celebration of its 15th anniversary, marking a decade and a half of artistic and cultural contributions in Oman and beyond. The season, running from October 2026 through May 2027, will feature 28 distinct productions over 43 performance nights, encompassing a wide range of genres including opera, Arab music, ballet, jazz, world music, and family entertainment. Additionally, the season will be supported by exhibitions and an expanded slate of education and community programs.
Since its inauguration, ROHM has grown from a prominent architectural landmark into a respected cultural institution and producing house within the Gulf Cooperation Council. As Oman’s flagship performing arts venue and the region’s first purpose-built opera house, the anniversary season underscores both its regional significance and international collaborations, while also highlighting Omani heritage and nurturing local talent.
The season’s opening performance will be Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” staged as part of an acclaimed co-production with the Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre. This production also serves as the final operatic directorial work of the late Franco Zeffirelli. Another major highlight includes ROHM’s original opera “Sindbad: The Omani Sailor,” a work inspired by Oman’s rich maritime history. Created in partnership with international artists and Hungary’s Müpa Budapest, the production emphasizes the venue’s commitment to original works drawing on local culture.
Additional opera offerings in the schedule include “The Opera!,” a signature ROHM production inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, and “The Magic Flute: Defeating the Monsters,” an adaptation of Mozart’s classic tailored specifically for younger audiences.
Arab music will feature prominently throughout the season, with performances by noted artists such as Nawal, Nabeel Shuail, Marwa Nagy, Yosra Mahnouch, Medhat Saleh, Mohammed Assaf, and Aseel Abu Bakr. Special programming during Ramadan will present evenings dedicated to Sufi and Inshaad music, drawing from both Omani and Syrian traditions.
The international concert lineup will include Oman debuts by mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča and accordionist Ksenija Sidorova, alongside events like the Grand Opera Gala and a concert presentation of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™.” The season will also highlight an East-West musical fusion with Omani qanun virtuoso Wahab al Dhanki collaborating with international musicians in “Homage to the Qanun,” merging Omani and Armenian musical traditions.
Ballet aficionados can look forward to a performance by Teatro alla Scala Ballet of Rudolf Nureyev’s “Don Quixote.” The season will further feature a diverse mix of cultural expressions including jazz, Portuguese Fado, Sicilian-Arab music, military and international folk music, as well as a production of “The Nutcracker on Ice.”
Beyond performances, ROHM plans to broaden its outreach through enhanced education and community initiatives—ranging from youth and school programs to workshops, accessibility projects, and a summer camp designed to engage new audiences. The venue will also host the exhibition “15 Years of Stage and Splendour,” presenting costumes, artefacts, and archival material that chart its artistic evolution.
The 2026–2027 season not only commemorates ROHM’s fifteen-year history but also signals its ongoing mission to foster cultural exchange, showcase artistic excellence, and inspire future generations through the performing arts.