Dr. Abdel-Moneim Kamel: We are Proud that Cairo Opera House is listed among the International Classification of Opera Houses

Head of the Cairo Opera House Dr. Abdel-Moneim Kamel asserted that the whole world respects Cairo Opera House which was listed among the international opera houses in terms of its artistic classification and its shows that tour the world. In addition, the most famous troupes came to show their shows on it.

Dr. Kamel had reviewed the artistic activities of a Cairo Opera House in this interview:

Q: In the beginning, we would like to know more about Cairo Opera House, its establishment, departments and artistic and cultural components.

A: In April 1983, President Mubarak paid an official visit to Japan, the Japanese government had decided to offer Egypt an educational cultural centre so as to foster bilateral relations. On March 31, 1985, President Mubarak had laid the foundation stone and the building took three years. It was inaugurated on October 10, 1988. The establishment costs reached around 6 billion Yen ($ 33 million).

The 7-floor Opera House building is set up over an area of 1045 m2. It comprises 3 theatres; i.e. the grand hall which accommodates 1200 seats, the small hall which accommodates 400 seats, and the outdoor stage which accommodates 600 seats including fixed and mobile chairs to enable the spectators move freely. The building also includes a hall for plastic arts, a library and the Opera Museum. Moreover, al-Jumhureya Theatre, which accommodates 800 spectators, the Arab Music Institute which includes the museum of Mohamed Abdel Wahhab and another museum for the rare musical instruments, all belong to the Opera House.

President Mubarak had inaugurated the Alexandria Opera House in January 2003. It includes a theatre that accommodates 1000 spectators, besides the Roman Archaeological Theatre in Kom el-Dekka which accommodates 600 spectators.

Q: Egypt was the first Arab and regional country that had an opera house, so what about the opera's contribution to fostering Egypt's cultural and artistic role on the regional and international levels?

A: The Opera House had actually contributed to fostering Egypt's cultural and artistic role on the regional and international levels. First, on the regional or domestic level, this is done through preserving our musical heritage and our Arab identity.

This is shown clear in the various Arab music festivals which preserved our heritage and the tours of these troupes around the world, besides the Arab troupes which presented its shows in the Opera House and the cultural and artistic exchange between Egypt and such countries in the framework of enhancing relations and exchanging various cultures.

Second, on the international level, we are proud that the Cairo Opera House is listed among the best opera houses in terms of the artistic classification, so its shows now tour the whole world. Furthermore, the scientific reputation of Cairo Opera House led to a competition among the most famous ballet, orchestra and singing troupes worldwide to present their shows in it.

Q: The Opera House convenes periodical cultural and intellectual seminars of the renowned writers and scientists, so what are the most important ones in this respect. What about the response of the youth to such seminars?

A: Since the establishment of Cairo Opera House, it has a special cultural activity. This is manifested in the Opera Cultural Salon which hosts the renown Arab figures in various political, cultural, artistic, religious and scientific walks of life.

All such seminars are important as they discuss major problems that concern the society and the Arab and Egyptian citizen. About the response of the youth to such seminars, it is important to affirm that we are proud that most of the attendants are youth.

Q: The Opera House signed many cooperation accords with its counterparts worldwide, so what are the most important ones signed and their impact on presenting joint shows on the audience of both countries?

A: Please let me thank Farouk Hosni, Minister of Culture for his pursuing efforts in this field through signing joint accords between the Ministry of Culture and its counterparts in the world. This had paved the way to sign many accords with the opera houses in Russia, Norway, USA, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany.

Such cooperation conventions and protocols were not confined to exchanging the artistic shows and troupes only; rather, it included exchanging experiences in other fields such as sound, lightening and decoration. Furthermore, some technicians were actually trained in such countries on the state-of-the-art techniques and systems in these fields so as to benefit from their experiences in grooming new staff.

So, some joint shows are already presented in some operas such as Italy, France and Germany, in addition to seeking the help of some Italian and French opera singing trainers.
Q: Can the taste of the opera singing prevail among all the society brackets and do not be excluded to the elite only? Does the Opera House exert any effort in this respect?

A: First, the art of the opera is not excluded to the elite only and most of the opera parties have no vacant seat, especially the ballet, Arab music, orchestra and the youth singing parties which are attended by all brackets of the society.

I agree with you that few shows do not enjoy a wide attendance, such as the opera singing and modern dancing. In order to overcome this problem, we have to start with the youth, as they are considered the spectators of the future.

This should be done through raising their cultural awareness by organizing visits to the Opera House to watch its shows and provide those youth with an easy and interesting explanation of such shows.

We try our best to make the opera art reach the ordinary person and we had actually succeeded in doing so through presenting the opera shows in all Egyptian governorates. Moreover, the low-price tickets offered to students and some of shows presented for free, are all important steps and I think that the media plays an important role in breaking the barrier between the opera and the audience.

I think that, nowadays, the opera became the outlet for all Egyptian categories and this is clear in the free shows that take place in gardens and archaeological sites.

I would also like to pinpoint that the Opera is a service, non-profit making, organ that supports the high-class art and culture.

Q: After 3 years of your presidency of the Opera House, what is your policy, and did you realize your aspirations?

A: After three years of heading the Opera House, I thank Allah that, from the very beginning, I was able to draw up a comprehensive future vision. Such a vision coincided with the directions of Minister of Culture, which ordered that every theatre will be dedicated to a certain kind of art, in addition to increasing the number of the foreign visiting troupes and making the shows tour the archaeological sites. This is considered a new investment of arts from an economic perspective so as to serve the homeland.

Concerning my new policy, it concentrates on sound planning and administration and the priorities of work. The salient achievements realized are developing all the artistic troupes and applying an administrative and technical structure for each one.

Moreover, the Arab Music Troupe is one of the most successful ones, and the Opera House had greatly succeeded in organizing an artistic manifestation for the Arab Music Festival in November 2006 when famous Arab stars and artists had participated. Such a festival is one of the most important music and singing ones that were organized.