An explicit exhibition showcasing the illustrious seven decade journey of late Franco Zeffirelli, the legendary director of esteemed operas, takes visitors on a unique mystical journey – beginning in Britain and ending in Muscat – at the House of Musical Arts, to mark the ROHM 10th anniversary

Hubert Vaz

There’s an air of nostalgia all around and every whiff puts one into a trance – a trance that transcends across continents, though the essence of what is on display is bound by the same chord of theatrical mastery.
The House of Musical Arts, adjacent to the Royal Opera House Muscat, currently showcases a unique collection of mystical exhibits, all of which point towards the sheer mastery of a legend and his illustrious career – Franco Zeffirelli. The exhibition, titled Zeffirelli, marks the 10th anniversary of the Royal Opera House Muscat which had, indeed, opened with Zeffirelli’s ‘Turandot’ in the inaugural season’. It is also a fitting tribute to the legendary Italian director, known for his penchant for creating magic on stage as well as on celluloid, who died in 2019 at the age of 97.
On display are illuminated slides (texts and photographs) which illustrate the highlights of his 70 year long career during which he delivered legendary films and immortal theatrical masterpieces, as well as a select set of costumes used on stage for some of the finest operas of all time.
This exhibition, to mark the ROHM anniversary, is a self-guided exhibition that is divided into five periods showcasing the explicit works of Zeffirelli across UK’s Covent Garden and Glyndebourne, The Metropolitan Opera – the first in New York City, Arena di Verona – the largest open-air opera in the world in Rome, Italy’s Teatro Alla Scala in Milan and finally the Royal Opera House Muscat, disclosed Dr Nasser al Taie, advisor to the ROHM Board of directors for Education and Outreach.
“You will be able to see the progress (of Zeffirelli’s work), not necessarily in chronological order, but you can see how this man was extremely talented, and don’t forget that the late HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said had awarded Zeffirelli the first medal of honour (in this field), Dr Nasser said.
He further told Muscat Daily, “This is a special exhibition by one of the greatest operatic producers and directors – Franco Zeffirelli. It also coincide with the celebration of ten years of the establishment of the Royal Opera House Muscat and that Franco Zeffirelli was instrumental in the production of the premier ‘Turandot’ in 2011.
“We are now also happy to present his last production of Gieuseppe Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’ – a work that he was unable to finish because of his demise in 2019. However, the Zeffirelli Foundation has completed it and we are bringing it to Muscat for the first time next Thursday (January 20). This is a celebration of a great artist and a celebration of ten years of musical achievements of ROHM.”
The current exhibition to mark the ROHM anniversary will be open to the public from 10am to 9pm everyday until March 20, he added.

An important moment

Franco Zeffirelli’s adopted son, Pippo Zeffirelli, who currently heads the Franco Zeffirelli Foundation and who was present at the inauguration of the exhibition in Muscat, said, “It’s an important moment for us to be back in Oman to bring back a lot of work of Zeffirelli who was a great artist in the field of opera whose creations were extraordinary and who created great masterpieces that are recognised all over the world.”
He further expressed joy that Zeffirelli’s great works could be staged and well appreciated in Oman though it was quite challenging for the artist (due to his age and ailments) to be away from Italy and from his medical obligations when he came to Oman at a time when the ROHM was being built. He was quite impressed by the modern theatre and all the advanced technological arrangements provided to promote opera in Oman.