The historic co-production, a first between the Opéra national de Paris and the Arab world, conducted by Antonello Manacorda and directed by Wajdi Mouawad, concludes its run, marking a significant milestone in the region’s cultural partnerships.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates-: Under the honorary founding patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Festival and Opéra national de Paris celebrated the successful staging of the co-production of Wajdi Mouawad’s Pelléas et Mélisande. The highly anticipated production premiered at the Opéra Bastille in Paris on 28 February 2025 and ran until 27 March 2025, with 9 performances including one avant-première for a young audience under 28, drawing a total audience exceeding 22,000 attendees. The production will also be available to stream on Paris Opera Play (POP), the Paris Opera’s streaming platform, until April 20.
As part of the Abu Dhabi Festival’s Abroad programme, this landmark co-production was the first collaboration of its kind between a Middle Eastern institution and the prestigious Opéra national de Paris. The historic co-production reaffirms the Festival’s ongoing commitment to strengthening international cultural partnerships and advancing creative excellence through artistic exchange, and 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, returned to the Opéra national de Paris with his second production. His direction was enriched by internationally acclaimed conductor Antonello Manacorda, Chorus Master Alessandro Di Stefano and a stunning set design by Emmanuel Clolus.
Her Excellency Huda Al Khamis, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Abu Dhabi Festival, praised the exceptional attendance and unprecedented success of the historic co-production with the Opéra national de Paris, Pelléas et Mélisande, directed by Lebanese-Canadian Wajdi Mouawad.
Her Excellency said: “The world premiere of the co-production Pelléas et Mélisande – one of the masterpieces by the world-renowned composer Debussy – is the result of our investment in collaborative partnerships with global institutions, enabling the meeting of minds and hearts, and the exchange of knowledge through creativity and renewed thinking. This historic co-production with the revered Opéra national de Paris reflects the Abu Dhabi Festival’s ongoing commitment to opening new pathways between countries, artists, and audiences through co-productions with major cultural institutions and international festivals, contributing to the building of civilisations and the renaissance.”
H.E. continued: “With an extraordinary performance by soprano star Sabine Devieilhe, renowned British baritone Hugh Montague Rendall, and the brilliant world-renowned maestro Antonello Manacorda, the cast will continue to shine on the esteemed stage of the Opéra Bastille in Paris until 27 March.”
“The innovative production reflects our renewed commitment to stimulating the efforts of cultural diplomacy and envisioning a bright future for the global cultural and arts scene. It also opens a new page in the dialogue between France and the UAE and marks the beginning of a new chapter of co-productions in opera and ballet, within the framework of our ambitious partnership with the Opéra national de Paris. The next phase of collaboration will continue to build on the historic co-production of Pelléas et Mélisande – the first and largest of its kind between the prestigious Paris Opera and the Arab world,” H.E. concluded.
Alexander Neef, General Director of Opéra national de Paris said: “The Paris Opera was 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 future shared artistic journeys, as we pursue a common ambition for artistic excellence.”
H.E. Fahad Saeed Al Raqbani, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates 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,” H.E. concluded.
H.E. Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of the French Republic to the United Arab Emirates, said: “I am delighted that the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), through its flagship initiative, the Abu Dhabi Festival, collaborated with the Opéra national de Paris to present the co-production of Pélleas 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.”
