Interesting choice of destinations...

AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE TO APPEAR IN MUSCAT, OMAN,
OCTOBER 26-28, 2011 IN THREE PERFORMANCES OF DON QUIXOTE

ABT TO REPRESENT FIRST AMERICAN DANCE COMPANY TO PERFORM DURING
INAUGURAL SEASON OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MUSCAT

American Ballet Theatre will travel to Muscat, Oman on the Arabian

Peninsula for three performances of its full-length production of Don Quixote,

October 26-28, 2011. The tour was announced today by Executive Director

Rachel S. Moore. ABT’s engagement at the newly constructed Royal Opera House

Muscat (ROH Muscat) of the Sultanate of Oman will represent the venue’s first

performances by an American arts organization.

Opening October 12, 2011, the Royal Opera House Muscat is Oman’s premier

venue for arts and culture and is the first of its kind in the region. Iman Al Hindawi,

Director General of the Royal Opera House Muscat said, “The Royal Opera House

Muscat is thrilled to welcome American Ballet Theatre to Oman to entertain and

engage audiences with its amazing production of Don Quixote. ABT’s activities in

Muscat will contribute to ROH Muscat’s efforts to fulfill its mission of enriching lives

through diverse artistic, cultural and educational programs, engaging difference and

promoting timeless values.”

The multidisciplinary work of ROH Muscat will showcase rich and diverse

artistic creations from Oman, the region, and the world; provide a space for

culture and socioeconomic development reflection and actions domestically and

internationally; inspire audiences and nurture creativity with innovative programs;

foster cultural vitality and unleash talent; sustain livelihoods through the arts and

cultural tourism; and put cultural diplomacy into practice by reinvigorating global

and multi-disciplinary collaborations and exchanges.

“We are honored to be among the inaugural performances of Royal Opera

House Muscat,” said Rachel S. Moore. “The idea of bringing classical dance to

audiences in the Middle East, where ballet is new to many, is extremely exciting and especially fitting

for us in our role as cultural ambassadors.”

That's pretty fascinating. I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that tour.