Royal Opera House to present work at Abu Dhabi Festival 2012
Special commission, Beloved Friend, to be performed by artists including Simon Russell-Beale.
Beloved Friend, a work specially commissioned by the Royal Opera House, will be performed as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival on 2 April by an international ensemble of actors, singers and Royal Ballet dancers.
The piece will star celebrated British actor Simon Russell-Beale as Tchaikovsky in a piece that explores the relationship of the composer with his muse and patron Nadezhda von Meck.
Originally conceived for a special gala performance at the Royal Opera House in 2009, Beloved Friend was written by Oscar-winning playwright Ronald Harwood. It was later repeated by request of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Opera House has a long history of touring internationally, most recently with The Royal Ballet’s tour of Cuba and both The Royal Opera and Royal Ballet’s performances in Japan.
As well as live performance, the Royal Opera House’s commitment to international outreach involves cinema screenings, digital initiatives and education work.
WHAT good news! One hopes to hear soon
of more ROH groups touring to other new Middle East opera houses.