Dubai Opera Under Fire for ‘La Bayadère’ Production
By David SalazarThe Dubai Opera is under fire for its upcoming production of “La Bayadère.”
Hindus are urging the company to cancel its production set for Feb. 14-16, 2025, citing that the work trivializes Eastern religions and traditions.
Per an official statement, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed said that Dubai Opera, which “aims to build a more vibrant and inclusive society” and whose mission is to “serve, unify, and inspire the community of Dubai and beyond by celebrating the cultures of the world,” should not be presenting a work which appropriates traditions, elements and concepts of others and ridiculing them.
“La Bayadère” is a ballet by Ludwig Minkus, originally presented in 1877 at the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg. Several modern productions have received similar backlash to the one currently faced by Dubai Opera. In 2018, Zed also demanded an apology from the Royal Opera House in London for presenting the work. Per Broadway World, his comments in 2018 echo those toward the Dubai Opera. He said, “The ‘magnificent’ Royal Opera House, which ‘aims to enrich people’s lives through opera and ballet’ with The Prince of Wales as Patron, should have shown some maturity before presenting a ballet displaying Western caricaturing of Eastern heritage and abetting ethnic stereotyping.”
Categories
News
