When art meets talent, the outcome is surreal and so was the scenario at UAE’s Abu Dhabi Festival held in France. A poetic opera ‘L’Apocalypse Arabe’ was world premiered at the event.

Based on the poems of US-Lebanese poet and visual artist Etel Adnan, the opera was co-produced with the cultural institution the LUMA Foundation, taking place on July 4 and 5 at Luma Arles’ Grande Halle.

To beautify the words, the opera was performed by Frankfurt-based ensemble Modern –a group inclusive of diverse musicians from Europe and Asia and conducted by Ivan Volkov.

The poems which were written during the Lebanese Civil War, L’Apocalypse Arabe signify the impact of Arab culture and the disaster caused by war, whilst condemning crimes that sprung from intolerance.

The opera directed by French Lebanese theatre director and artistic director Pierre Audi, its music and text were created by Palestinian composer Samir Odeh-Tamimi.

“It is my pleasure to be part of the Abu Dhabi Festival. ’L’Apocalypse Arabe’ had a profound impact on me, and I have thought of it daily since I read it in 2001. Seeing this project come to fruition is a dream come true,” read a released statement by Odeh-Tamimi.

“I am delighted to be working again with Abu Dhabi Festival to present a work of art that beautifully interprets Etel Adnan’s message decrying intolerance and hatred, a message that is as urgent today as it was when she wrote it over 40 years ago”, shared Pierre Audi, adding, “It is wonderful to see that Abu Dhabi Festival is engaging global artists to reach audiences with a call for peace.”