Abu Dhabi Festival is celebrating the opening of its historic collaboration with the Opéra national de Paris for Wajdi Mouawad’s new production of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande – marking the first collaboration of its kind with the Arab World.

 

This eagerly awaited new production premiered at the Opéra Bastille in Paris on February 28 and will continue until March 27.

 

The event was held under the honorary founding patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and under the patronage of Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan.

 

As part of the Festival’s Abroad programme, this landmark co-production is the first between a Middle Eastern institution and the prestigious Opéra national de Paris. It reaffirms the Festival’s commitment to strengthening international cultural partnerships and advancing creative excellence through artistic exchange, further elevating UAE and Abu Dhabi’s global cultural influence and stature.

 

An operatic masterpiece by French composer Claude Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande premiered in 1902 as a symbolist opera based on Maurice Maeterlinck’s play of the same name. Set to an evocative, atmospheric score that remains one of Debussy’s most lauded works, the production explored themes of love, fate and the fragility of human emotions. 

 

Renowned Lebanese-Canadian director and playwright, Wajdi Mouawad, celebrated for his profound storytelling and innovative theatrical vision, returns to Opéra national de Paris with his second production. His direction is enriched by internationally acclaimed conductor Antonello Manacorda, Chorus Master Alessandro Di Stefano and a stunning set design by Emmanuel Clolus.

 

Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Founder & Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “Under the honorary founding patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, we present the world premiere of Wajdi Mouawad’s new production  of the masterpieces by the world-renowned composer Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande. Lebanese-Canadian director Wajdi Mouawad will share his innovative direction at the Opéra Bastille in Paris, in a co-production of the Opéra national de Paris and the Abu Dhabi Festival. This historic collaboration is the first and largest of its kind between the prestigious French opera and the Arab world.” 

 

She continued: “This historic performance comes as a reflection of our renewed commitment to promoting cultural diplomacy and our dedication to building human civilisation and envisioning a bright future for the global cultural and arts scene. With soprano star Sabine Devieilhe, renowned British baritone Huw Montague Rendall, and the brilliant world-renowned maestro Antonello Manacorda, performances of the famous Pelléas et Mélisande opera will continue from 28 February to 27 March, highlighting human emotions such as love, loyalty, honesty, hatred, and jealousy, and embodying the rich operatic legacy of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande since its first performance at the beginning of the 20th century. 

 

"The co-production of Pelléas et Mélisande by Abu Dhabi Festival and Opéra national de Paris highlights the Festival’s long-term vision of fostering multifaceted relationships with leading global arts institutions through meaningful and innovative collaborations that create lasting legacies. It also reflects the deepening cultural ties between the UAE and the global arts community, positioning Abu Dhabi as a key player on the international cultural stage,” she added.

 

Alexander Neef, General Director of Opéra national de Paris, said: "The Paris Opera is delighted to bring this new production of et Pelléas Mélisande to life in co-production with the Abu Dhabi Festival, under the direction of Wajdi Mouawad and the baton of Antonello Manacorda, with Huw Montague Rendall and Sabine Devieilhe in the title roles. I am grateful to the Abu Dhabi Festival for their support in enriching our operatic repertoire and their dedication to arts and culture. I look forward to this shared artistic journey, as we pursue a common ambition for artistic excellence."

 

Fahad Saeed Al Raqbani, Ambassador of the UAE to France, said: “The historic co-production of Claude Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande between Abu Dhabi Festival and the Opéra National de Paris highlights the power of cultural diplomacy to strengthen the enduring friendship between the UAE and France.  

 

“This landmark collaboration - the first of its kind between a Middle Eastern, or Arab, cultural institution and one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses - reflects the UAE’s commitment to fostering artistic excellence and cross-cultural dialogue.  

 

“Abu Dhabi Festival continues to create new pathways between countries, artists and audiences through its groundbreaking partnerships with international institutions. By reimagining a timeless opera, this collaboration enhances Abu Dhabi’s global cultural presence and reaffirms the arts as a bridge for mutual understanding and cooperation between our two nations."   

 

Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of the France to the UAE, said: “I am delighted that the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), through its flagship initiative, the Abu Dhabi Festival, is collaborating with the Opéra national de Paris to co-produce Pélléas et Mélisande for the first time on Friday, 28 February 2025, in Paris.

 

"This masterpiece, which explores the themes of love and destiny, is one of Claude Debussy's most famous operas. This exceptional performance underlines the ever-deepening cultural ties between France and the United Arab Emirates. Congratulations to ADMAF on this great success!

 

On the strength of exceptional iconic symbols such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Franco-Emirati relationship in the cultural sphere is now enhanced by promising new projects in the field of music. Together with the UAE, we are advancing our cultural relationship, breaking new ground, and looking toward the future.” - TradeArabia News Service