Breathtaking Broadway on Ice dazzles at the Royal Opera House Muscat

Bold and Beautiful, they dazzled
( Pic courtesy ROHM)

Almost twenty five years ago, I accompanied my parents as a young girl to Talkatora Gardens, New Delhi to watch in fascinated awe as skaters danced and twirled to beautiful music that seemed to touch the soul. In those moments, I desperately wanted to be one of those skaters, and perform the same magic that they were performing on stage that evening. 

Two hours later, the show finished.We came home and talked about it endlessly. My family probably forgot about it some time later, but that magical interlude stayed with me forever.

Cut to the present in Muscat.

To our delight,  we learnt that Broadway on Ice would be one of the highlights of this Season at the Royal Opera House Muscat(ROHM) and we made sure we booked our tickets well in time. That was in September and we saw this magnificent show on the 26th of December.But some things never change and many years later, I felt like that same little schoolgirl as I watched that very same magic unfolding on stage.And I must add, this time it was probably more spectacular as it was being performed at the magnificent Royal Opera House in Muscat, which has by now firmly established its position as one of, if not 'the' best Opera houses in the present day world scenario.

Willy Bietak’s 'Broadway on Ice' is a show that stunned and delighted  audiences of all ages. Featuring a cast of 16 world-class figure skaters, two singers and a pianist, the performance showcased beautiful figure skating, with impressive jumps, spins, and lifts, set to songs from well-known musicals including Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Chicago and Funny Girl.Many of the skaters are former athletes, Olympic skaters and national skaters who became show skaters following their competitive careers. Honestly, I really don't think one could ever surpass that level of skating!

Even the curtains were stunning

The skaters included Marc-Olivier Bosse, Andrew Buchanan, Wesley Campbell, Danny Clausen, Aaron Gillespie, Robin Johnstone, Alexandra Schauman, Elizabeth Putnam, Erin Reed, Scott Smith, Cole Stanbra, Arielle Trujillo, Angela Vandermissen, Samantha Veloso, Natalia Zaitseva and Lukasz Rozycki.  

One of the many beautiful acts
(Pic courtesy, ROHM, Oman)

Modern with a very interesting twist

                    (Pic courtesy, ROHM Oman)

'Broadway on Ice' in Muscat also  featured three special guest stars who accompanied the skaters with their vocal and musical skills. They were the incomparable American singer Davis Gaines, Austrian soprano Ira Lauren and the veteran American pianist and composer Lincoln Mayorga. 

Veteran American pianist and composer Lincoln Mayorga takes centrestage 

(Pic courtesy, ROHM Oman)

With my husband Avi 

While it was a show that lasted over two hours- time passed rather too quickly and like the rest of the delighted audience we came out beaming from ear to ear. Now I'm only hoping that I don't have to wait quite so long to catch my next performance of Broadway on Ice.

ROHM A real jewel

The fabulous interiors

Spectacular Military Music Concert to mark Oman's 44th National Day at ROHM

Colour, pageantry and music at its best

Friday the 7th of November was an unforgettable evening as we saw a spectacular performance of Military Music of Oman at the Royal Opera House Muscat Maidan. This 90 minute performance set the tone for the commencement of Oman's 44th National Day celebrations and it was clear-the sense of pride and delight in what we saw and heard was mirrored in each and every face around us.

Superb music

Over the past few decades, the  military bands  and music of Oman  have already established  for themselves  a worldwide  reputation.Add to it the magnificent backdrop of the Royal Opera House Maidan and the cutting edge light and sound facilities it has to offer, Oman  presented a fabulous event, the like to which is probably un paralled worldwide.

Men and women performing side by side. 

Women power -The Massed Military Ladies Band

Incomparable melodies


The Performers list was a veritable delight.Local as well as international bands and dance performers have come together and the result was a seamless integration of the best of the East and the West.

Some notables from Oman-The Royal Guard of Oman Military Bands, The Royal Army of Oman Band, The Royal Air Force of Oman Band, The Royal Navy of Oman band, The combined group of the Royal Cavalry and Camel Bands,The Royal Oman Police Band, The Aiyla Group of the First Royal Band for Music and Folklore.

The magnificent backdrop of the ROHM provides a perfect foil.



Some of the international Guest performers included John Innes, Manu Aute Productions of Wellington, The Lochel Drill Marching team, Scotdance International, and Elisha Gallivan.

National Dances of Scotland added grace and variety to the beautifully structured programme.

Maori performing the Haka




The brilliantly synchronised Drill marchers from New Zealand

Traditional Omani dancers perform with grace and vigour

As the event was to close, the inimitable sounds of 'Abide with me' came from somewhere on top. Looking up, we spotted a performer with his bugle and to his right, a tight close up revealed that there were more performers on top. It was just that we hadn't realised they were there as well- another testimony to the sheer detailing that went into making this fantastic evening!

A close up of the musicians positioned on top of the ROHM 

The Grand Finale where all the participants gather and the National Anthem of Oman is sung

The show came to an end and all the people left for the day but not before clicking their final shots.

Then slowly walked away with a smile on their faces as well as in their hearts.

Verdi's 'Macbeth', opens the new season at the Royal Opera House Muscat ( ROHM) with a riveting performance

Any performance at the Royal Opera House Muscat( ROHM) is always superb but the one we saw last evening Sat, (20/9) will remain etched in our minds forever.  The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM)  opened its 2014-2015 season with a stunning production of Verdi's opera Macbeth, based on Shakespeare's play of the same name.The four-act opera, Giuseppe Verdi's 10th, which originally premiered in 1847 is  based on a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave and Andrea Maffei, and inspired by Shakespeare's play. 

This production  of Macbeth directed by Henning Brockhaus, is performed by the Teatro Verdi Trieste in collaboration with the Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini, Jesi and Fondazione Teatro Carlo Felice from Genoa in Italy. Conducted by the renowned Donato Renzetti, it stars Michael Chioldi, Csilla Boross and Giorgio Giuseppini, in key roles.

A scene from Verdi's Macbeth

(Pic Courtesy ROHM Website)

The story in in a nutshell-After several witches prophesy that Macbeth will become king, he and his wife, Lady Macbeth, go on a blood thirsty  mission to fulfill his destiny. Fate, however, is stronger than his determination, and ultimately this very ambition and thirst for power become his downfall.

The opera itself is riveting. It's a concentrated version of Shakespeare's Macbeth with good music and packed with blood, murder, and a superb ending. Add to it the superb sets and quality of production and this particular Opera easily ranks  among the best I've ever seen.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are usually portrayed as two of the most evil characters in theatre and opera, but in this Teatro Verdi Trieste production of Verdi's Macbeth, the singers get to explore many sides to this dark couple and their performances are at times jaw dropping and at others, hair rising, in the literal sense.

The stunning interiors of the ROHM

Traditionally, Macbeth is a weak character, easily influenced by others, especially his wife, who easily manipulates him.  Lady Macbeth, who also has blood on her hands, is usually portrayed as the more powerful character, but in Brockhaus's interpretation, there is more equilibrium between the two. In this version, it is clear that hat there are two sides to Lady Macbeth, so that she isn't just a vicious, dark and powerful woman. She has a softer, maternal side, too and suffers from the recent loss of a child. The pursuit of power with Macbeth replaces the lost child, thereby renewing the excitement and passion in their marriage.

Memories are truly made of evenings like these

The opera moves relentlessly towards a stunning climax and at the end of it, the performers got a well deserved standing ovation. 

With such a spectacular start to the ROHM'S Season 2014-2015 , here's looking forward to some more power packed performances!

Looking forward to a new season at the magnificent Royal Opera House Muscat

The Royal Opera House Muscat( ROHM)

The Royal Opera House, Muscat (ROHM) was inaugurated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Al Said three  years ago and in his inaugural speech, he outlined his vision for it. The essence of what he said was that since Oman had played a significant role in various cultural fields in the past, it was now time for it to cap that rich march by adopting the concepts of international culture and add to it by effective contribution to its promotion. To that end, the ROHM that will showcase Oman’s creative and cultural heritage and provide Oman with a gateway to the international arena.

Performances on Open Day 

We've been lucky enough to visit the Royal Opera House a few times during this period and the first time was unforgettable,  a wonderful show featuring the Whirling Dervishes. More recently, an  'Open House', the State Ballet from Vienna and a concert by Diana Krall the jazz singer.

On each of these occasions, we've been struck by the excellence and detailing that has gone into making this place the superb piece of architectural  and cultural hub that its meant to be.Then there was that fantastic opportunity to walk through the ROHM on a private tour, asking all possible questions that I could think of and clicking way to my heart's content!

Here's a very real recommendation- do check out the Programmes for the new Season starting on September 18 at the very next opportunity you get.  It starts with Verdi's superb  opera MacBeth and continues till May 2015 with  a range of fabulous performances, symposiums, family concerts and educational activities.

Book your tickets too as that's the best way to ensure that you actually get to see what you really want to.

The stunning interiors

      

Fascinating art


Its truly one of those places that will stay in your mind and heart forever...

(NB- All pics used here are clicked by me)