Panel discussion - Delivering world-class events from movie premieres and classical shows to international sports events and megastar music concerts
Jasper Hope, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Opera
Panel discussion - Delivering world-class events from movie premieres and classical shows to international sports events and megastar music concerts
1. How has the Dubai Opera been received by the public since its launch one year ago?
It’s been a wonderful first year for Dubai Opera, we’ve enjoyed so many incredible performances across so many genres with artists from so many nations.
2. What has the Dubai Opera added to the Emirate’s status as a regional cultural hub?
Dubai Opera has very quickly become the UAE’s foremost performing arts destination and one known increasingly on the international scene. In combination with our peers at permanent venues like Alserkal Avenue and D3, as well as those at annual festivals like Art Dubai, Emirates Literature Festival and Dubai International Film Festival, we are collectively taking Dubai to an unrivalled position in the region.
3. What have been the major challenges you’ve had to overcome to deliver world-class events at the Dubai Opera?
Dubai was previously known for many incredible achievements but few in the live performance sector. The most significant challenge therefore has been to attract the best artists from such a wide range of genres to excite and entertain audiences here.
That’s not easy to do in established venues but in new ones it’s always going to take more time and persuasion at the beginning. It’s for others to judge but our view is that we’ve certainly overcome that challenge and been able to present a first year programme featuring 50 events with more than 2000 artists with which we’re exceptionally proud.
4. What are people yearning for now in live entertainment and what is in store for us in the future?
I think the live scene now is as exciting as it’s ever been. As the appeal of streaming services has grown, so has the live entertainment side of the industry with audiences increasingly valuing live experiences. As someone who’s passionate about live events I can certainly see that trend continuing for as long as there are great artists that people want to see.
5. Where do see the opportunities for the live entertainment sector with the advent of Dubai Expo 2020?
Expo 2020 Dubai has huge potential for the live sector, not least as a result of the additional tourists to Dubai anticipated over the six month event. For the event itself, having attended a number of World Expos previously, I know how important the live component is and I have no doubt the Expo 2020 team will be planning to incorporate a number of very exciting, unique and contemporary elements not just for the opening but throughout the event.
In short, the worlds of arts and entertainment are perfect opportunities for connecting minds and creating the future and I’m sure they’ll play a big part as a result both during the event and as part of the legacy programme.
6. To what degree is the entertainment industry ready given the scale of infrastructure and other projects ongoing in preparation for the Expo 2020?
I think the entertainment industry is is a good place with three years to go. Dubai Opera’s celebrating a succesful first year, La Perle opens its doors this month as the first resident show in Dubai and a new arena is under contruction which can take the bigger acts currently forced to perform outdoors only.
In film, in fine art, in literature, in fashion and in design there are exciting annual festivals and as all of this develops alongside the many infrastructure projects in Dubai I’m sure that a stronger local entertainment scene will also grow alongside the international elements.
7. Will there be a major industry shift post Expo 2020 and what will key stakeholders need to do to prepare for this?
I think it’s too early to speculate in detail too far into the future, other than to say that Dubai’s development to date is testament to what is possible with an extraordinary vision and I certainly don’t see that development post Expo 2020 being any less impressive, not least with the UAE Golden Jubilee coming the following year.
8. Finally, how important is it for you to speak at the The Events Technology and Entertainment Development Forum?
It’ll be my first time at the the Forum but I always look forward to hearing what colleagues have to say about the issues the industry faces. On behalf of Dubai Opera I’m also happy to share some of the experiences we’ve had in our first year and to talk a little about what’s in store for the future.