A grand opening of Dubai Opera

DUBAI: The UAE's cultural scene took a mighty stride forward on Wednesday night with the grand opening of the Dubai Opera - inaugurated in suitably glorious fashion by a man widely dubbed the "king of opera", reports daily The National. 

The 2,000-capacity Dubai Opera has been touted as the region's first world-class, purpose-built performance venue. The opening weeks will feature a mix of classical orchestras, ballet, dance, world and Arabic music, as well as blockbuster musicals and family shows.

Chief executive Jasper Hope, who arrived after seven years heading London's Royal Albert Hall, hailed the opening as a new phase in Dubai's emergence as a world-class city. "This is a moment of history, not just for Dubai, but in an even wider sense," said the 47-year-old British expatriate.

Construction of the dhow-shaped venue began in March 2013, a year after the project was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who attended Wednesday night's concert and rehearsals earlier in the day.