Ahead of the official opening of the UAE’s first opera, Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai is set to launch special musical programmes and workshops for UAE students and teachers.
Due to start this October, the interactive workshops will feature music, singing, games and storytelling to both introduce and educate schools to the world of opera music.
“The primary objective of these educational initiatives is to introduce and attract schoolchildren to opera, in line with broad curriculum objectives and modern teaching methods based on teamwork and communication,” said Senior Vice President of Arts and Culture at Expo 2020 Dubai Dr Hayat Shamsuddin.
“The programme is designed to have a far-reaching impact by reaching out to music teachers in various schools in the UAE, through educational initiatives specifically developed to enrich and develop the technical skills of students.”
Al Wasl is the first-ever Emirati opera, with music by award-winning composer Mohammed Fairouz and dialogue penned by best-selling author Maha Gargash.
During the workshops, kids around schools will meet experts in choral performance, drama, storytelling and theatre production, while teachers will get the chance to learn key skills and innovative educational techniques.
As for students to get a chance to perform at the opera for Expo 2020, another programme named ‘Nasheed Al Wasl’ (‘Al Wasl Song’ in English) will bring together groups of 250 primary and secondary pupils from multiple schools to form choirs that will sing on stage at Expo 2020.
In 30-minute shows, the student choirs will perform extracts from Al Wasl opera, all with a professional orchestra. The shows will premiere in November, 2020 and run throughout Expo 2020.
As for all things A to Z about the UAE’s biggest upcoming expo, we’ve got every letter covered right here.
For more information, visit www.expo2020dubai.com.
