This December, Abu Dhabi will host a landmark cultural moment as the first-ever Arabic-language opera, Antar & Abla, takes the stage from 9 to 14 December 2025 at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City. Presented by Bidaya and produced by Pico in collaboration with Opera Lebanon, the production represents a new era for Arabic performing arts – one that celebrates heritage, innovation, and artistic excellence.
Audiences can look forward to six unforgettable nights under the stars as Antar & Abla transforms Abu Dhabi’s iconic tennis stadium into an open-air opera theatre. At its heart lies a love story that transcends boundaries – the timeless legend of Antar Ibn Shaddad and Abla Bint Malik, whose courage, passion, and resilience have inspired generations across the Arab world. Blending classical Arabic poetry with powerful orchestration and world-class stagecraft, the production unites East and West in a spectacular reimagining of one of the Arab world’s most enduring tales, staged as a vivid theatrical tableau where the heroes Antar and the Shaolin monks meet.
Imane Alsalem Tlamid, Chief Executive Officer of Bidaya, said: “Antar & Abla represents more than an artistic production; it’s a celebration of who we are. Through this opera, we are bringing Arabic poetry, music, and storytelling to the world stage in a way that preserves our heritage while embracing innovation. Our goal is to make Arabic opera accessible and inspiring – an experience that connects generations and communities through the universal language of art.”
A Multisensory Cultural Experience
Each evening will immerse audiences in a breathtaking fusion of music, movement, and visual storytelling. The opera’s score is composed by Maestro Maroun Al-Rahi, with the libretto written by Antoine Maalouf, together creating a complete artistic work that revives the legendary love story of
Antar and Abla through a contemporary operatic lens blending the beauty of the Arabic language with the splendour of global melodies. The Lanzhou Symphony Orchestra from China will perform the live symphonic music, with revision, arrangement, and orchestration by Nadim Tarabay, alongside breathtaking performances by the Shaolin Monks – a powerful artistic embodiment of more than four decades of cultural exchange between the UAE and China. Under Abu Dhabi’s open skies, the International Tennis Centre will be transformed through state-of-the-art lighting, projection, and scenography to create a truly cinematic operatic experience. The production was also honoured with the 2024 Mohammed bin Rashid Award for the Arabic Language in the Cultural Excellence category, recognising its role in revitalising the Arabic language through modern performing arts and strengthening its presence in the hearts of new generations.
Bringing Arabic Heritage to Life
Performed entirely in Arabic, with subtitles in English and Chinese, Antar & Abla showcases the expressive power and lyrical beauty of the Arabic language through music and theatre. The production bridges heritage and innovation, highlighting how timeless Arab storytelling can flourish on a global stage. As audiences witness this modern retelling of the legendary love story, they are invited to rediscover the values of courage, devotion, and perseverance that continue to shape Arab identity today.
Antar & Abla will run for six nights only, from 9 to 14 December 2025, with performances beginning at 7:00 PM at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City. Tickets are available exclusively through Platinumlist.com, with weekday prices starting from AED 200 and weekend prices from AED 250. Early booking is strongly recommended due to limited seating and high anticipated demand.
