The Cairo Opera House in Egypt is celebrating its 38th anniversary since its opening on October 10, 1988, with a grand festival on the main stage. The event, taking place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 8 PM, will feature over 500 artists from various opera troupes. The festival is being held under the auspices of Dr. Abdel Aziz Kansoua, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture.
The festival, directed by Hisham Al-Tali, will include a diverse program combining Arabic and global classical music, opera, and ballet. A documentary film showcasing the history of the Cairo Opera House and its notable artistic milestones since its opening will also be screened. The program will begin with the national anthem, followed by an Arabic music segment conducted by Dr. Mustafa Helmy and Ihab Abdel Hamid.
The Cairo Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Nader Abbasi, will perform several musical pieces, including the operetta "Al-Watan Al-Akbar" by Mohamed Abdel Wahab, which will be presented for the first time at the festival. The orchestra will also perform "Carmina Burana" by Carl Orff and "Hymn of the Sun" by Mascagni. Several Arab music stars will participate in this segment.
The Cairo Opera Ballet Company, under the artistic direction of Armenia Kamel, will present scenes from various ballets, accompanied by the Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Maestro Mohamed Saad Bashar. The program will include scenes from "Romeo and Juliet" by Sergei Prokofiev and "Nile Ballet" by Omar Khairat.
The Cairo Opera Company, led by its artistic director Julie Fayzi, will perform excerpts from famous global operas, including "La Traviata," "Il Trovatore," and "Rigoletto" by Verdi, as well as "Faust" by Charles Gounod. Several artists, including Rasha Talat, Julie Fayzi, and Mustafa Madhat, will participate in this segment.
The festival will also feature a documentary film showcasing the history of the Cairo Opera House, including rare scenes from the Khedivial Opera. The film was produced by Studio Al-Muntaj and directed by Samer Madi. Since its opening, the Cairo Opera House has become a mainstay of Egypt's cultural and artistic life.
The Cairo Opera House complex comprises several theaters, including the Large and Small Theaters, the Open-Air Theater, and the Republic Theater. It also includes the Arab Music Institute in Cairo, the Sidr Darwish Theater in Alexandria, and the Damanhour Opera Theater in the Beheira Governorate. The institution continues to promote the performing arts and host local and international troupes.
Key points
- The Cairo Opera House is celebrating 38 years since its opening with a grand festival featuring over 500 artists.
- The festival program includes a mix of Arabic and global classical music, opera, and ballet performances.
- A documentary film showcasing the history of the Cairo Opera House will be screened during the festival.
