
Jessica Pratt and Javier Camarena perform opera gala at Abu Dhabi Festival
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi Festival has presented some world-class acts this year and this weekend is no different.At the Red Theater at NYUAD's Art Center on Saadiyat Island, this Sunday, April 20, at 7.30pm, star soprano Jessica Pratt and top tenor Javier Camarena bring their artistry to a thrilling opera gala with the Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra conducted by Toufic Maatouk. Hailed by the New York Times as possessing "gleaming sound, free and easy high notes, agile coloratura runs and lyrical grace", British-born Pratt is one of today's most admired interpreters of the Bel Canto repertoire. Mexican Opera star Camarena was recognised as Male Singer of the Year by the International Opera Awards in 2021and has made a name for himself in operas by Puccini, Bellini, Donizetti and Mozart. Together, they will perform arias and duets from Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini, Mascagni, Massenet and Verdi.
Maatouk has earned global recognition for leading ensembles around the world and has been praised for his insightful direction and consummate command of the orchestra.
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Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Creative Media Authority celebrates 10 years of empowering young talent at Media Summer Camp
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The National
a day ago
- The National
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Okhtein Founded by sisters Aya and Mounaz Abdel Raouf in Egypt, Okhtein draws inspiration from Cairo's rich tradition of metalwork. Designed in Egypt and crafted in Italy, the brand embraces the decadence of metallics seen across embossed purses, woven gold leather clutches, coiled gold and gemstone rings and even sunglasses. Okhtein has evolved into a genuine success story, finding its place on the world stage. Maveroc Dubai-born jewellery brand Maveroc has made waves for its bold, geometric designs – recently being featured in the Mirbad pop-up in Manarat Al Saadiyat. Founded in 2022 by ex-Goldman Sachs banker Ibrahim Lamrini and tech executive turned gemmologist Rita Chraibi, the label is uncompromising in both quality and attitude. Pieces such as the Whatever rings stack 18k gold with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and coloured enamel in vibrant, luxe combinations. With standout collaborations with Fozaza, Wdeema and Dana Malhas, Maveroc is a rising star with serious edge. Kismet by Milka This Turkish brand has been crafting fine jewellery and luxury piercing pieces since 2009, with a strong foundation of expertise. Its collections span earrings, ear cuffs, bracelets and necklaces in white gold and its signature hue, Roslow – a warm, coppery-gold tone unique to the brand. Adorned with diamonds and rubies, the bold designs draw on eclectic inspirations, from architectural forms to the buckle of a seatbelt, resulting in statement pieces with attitude. Folklore Founded in 2014 by Central Saint Martins graduate Haya Al Abdulkareem, this Kuwaiti bag brand has carved out a distinct niche. Favouring drops rather than trend-led collections, Folklore offers pieces that feel refreshingly modern. The Cella tote is woven in rattan; Buksha is a triangle of glossy satin knotted shut; and the Money bag features a single knotted strap. 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Nafsika Skourti The brainchild of Palestinian-Jordanian designer Nafsika Skourti – a Central Saint Martins alum who trained with Marchesa in New York and Ecole Lesage in Paris – and her sister Stephanie, this womenswear label champions what it calls 'everyday glamour'. That ethos shines through in its wildly popular dropped-waist dresses, including the full-skirted Organza Bomb Bell, the Sequin Emmy and the Cloud Nine. The brand also launched Our Collective Future, a programme that supports Syrian refugees by employing vulnerable women to embellish pieces with traditional handwork. Noora Shawqi Inspired by the Dubai-based founder's wanderlust, this eponymous jewellery brand features collections titled Morocco, Love in Tokyo, Ceylon and The Maldives – each brimming with joyful colour. The Ceylon line sparkles with garnets, peridots, citrines, emeralds and tourmalines, while Morocco blends gold with vibrant enamel. 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The National
2 days ago
- The National
What makes a great in-flight movie? Best films to watch on Emirates and Etihad in August
Many have said it: 'I'll watch it on a plane.' Whether it's a recommendation from a friend or something you missed in cinemas, a long-haul flight is the place many people finally cross things off their seemingly endless lists. But thousands of metres in the air, something shifts. Tastes change. We become more emotional (possibly due to lower air pressure), less cynical and far more likely to hit play on something we might have ignored on the ground. Air travel creates a unique mental space – half boredom, half vulnerability – and cinema becomes both an escape and a comfort. A great plane movie is built for that headspace. It's not just about quality – it's about mood. It needs to be immersive enough to distract from the armrest battle unfolding beside you, yet undemanding enough to pause mid-flight. It should feel like a reliable companion, not a chore. With that in mind, here's a breakdown of the types of movies that thrive in the sky – and several recommendations currently flying with Emirates and Etihad. Tear-jerkers Yes, it's true – people cry more on planes. Blame the altitude, the cabin pressure, or the fact they're emotionally raw after three hours in an airport queue. A good cry can feel oddly cathartic in the clouds, especially with the right film to trigger it. These picks deliver the gut punch with heart to spare. Flow The animals in this Academy Award-winning animated film never speak, and that realistic characterisation makes them burrow into the heart even more. Available on Emirates and Etihad Betterman If you'd told us a year ago that a biopic about British singer Robbie Williams would be a tear-jerker, we'd never have believed you. But give it a try and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Emirates Before Sunset One of the most romantic films ever made, the sequel to 1995's Before Sunrise (also available) elevates the overall series, following two missed connections who reunite nine years after they met for one unforgettable day and then never spoke again. Etihad Field of Dreams You don't need to know baseball to be moved by this deeply earnest tale of fathers, sons and second chances. Emirates Sleepless in Seattle Rainy nights, lonely hearts and Tom Hanks at his most Hanksian. One of the great comfort films. Emirates The Iron Giant Still one of the greatest animated films ever made. Brad Bird's breakout classic is as funny as it is devastating. Emirates How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies A Thai box-office sensation and TikTok favourite. Balances humour and heartbreak with remarkable ease. Etihad Rewatchable nostalgia Some films feel like old friends – endlessly rewatchable, oddly reassuring and perfect for watching when tired, bored or mildly sedated at 30,000 feet. They don't just pass the time – they make the flight fly by. Breakfast at Tiffany's Ignore Mickey Rooney's outdated character – easier said than done, I know – and Breakfast at Tiffany's hasn't aged a day. Audrey Hepburn's defining role is fittingly still the avatar for lost souls everywhere. Etihad Conclave While less than a year old, this suspenseful political thriller among cardinals picking the next Catholic priest is just as good on return visits. Emirates A Few Good Men That courtroom scene is iconic, but the rest holds up brilliantly. Peak-era Tom Cruise and writer Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, The West Wing). Emirates A murder mystery viewed through a window. Director Alfred Hitchcock makes voyeurism feel like comfort viewing. Emirates The Social Network Razor-sharp writing, brilliant performances and still oddly thrilling even when you know how it ends. Emirate s Moneyball Another baseball film for people who don't like baseball. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill sell the underdog magic. Emirates Over-the-top action The constant buzz of a plane – the whirr of engines, the clatter of trolleys, the wails of overtired toddlers – can make even the best film hard to focus on. The solution? Loud, fast, gloriously over-the-top action. These are high-stakes, low-subtlety thrill rides. Explosive visuals, simple plots and non-stop momentum make them perfect in-flight entertainment. Just plug in and let the chaos wash over you. Mad Max: Fury Road Full of genuinely breathtaking stunt work, intricately choreographed set pieces and unforgettable post-apocalyptic world-building, Australian director George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road has a case for being the best action film ever made. And its prequel, Furiosa, is available for plane-watching too. Etihad Edge of Tomorrow One of Tom Cruise's most enjoyable starring performances – funny, thrilling and thoughtful – is unfortunately one of his most forgettable titles. If that the movie's bland name scared you off before, now's the time to watch. Etihad Den of Thieves 2: Pantera After the first film became an under-the-radar dad movie classic, Gerard Butler is back as Big Nick for more heist-movie goodness. Emirates Die Hard Still the gold standard for single-location action. Unmatched pacing, wisecracks, and villainy. Emirates G20 Viola Davis saves the world. No, really. She plays the US President rescuing world leaders from terrorists. Emirates The Fugitive A wrongly accused man, a relentless pursuer, and a perfect 90s thriller that's aged like fine wine. Emirates Novocaine Jack Quaid stars as a man who literally can't feel pain – a useful condition when he's forced to become a reluctant hero. Etihad Three-star dramas Not every plane film needs to be a classic. Some of the best in-flight discoveries are the ones you missed in cinemas or never bothered to stream. These mid-tier dramas don't demand full attention, but they deliver just enough emotional pay-off to feel worth it. Trap M Night Shyamalan is the current master of simple "what happens next?" storytelling, even if they go off the rails in the third act. In Trap, a man at a concert with his daughter learns that the entire event is a trap for the world's most wanted serial killer – and he's the serial killer. Etihad The Amateur The inimitable Rami Malek gets the eminently watchable plane action-thriller he's always deserved. Emirates and Etihad The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants A charming, surprisingly affecting coming-of-age tale about friendship and growing up apart. Etihad Juror #2 Thanks to Superman, Nicholas Hoult is having a moment. This overlooked courtroom drama directed by Clint Eastwood features one of his best performances. Emirates Under the Tuscan Sun A post-divorce Italian villa fantasy. Exactly the kind of wish-fulfilment that hits differently mid-flight. Etihad BlackBerry A tech-world biopic that charts the dizzying rise and fall of a once-ubiquitous device. Emirates Crazy Rich Asians Glamour, romance and family drama set in Singapore. A modern romcom with the heart of a classic. Emirates and Etihad Engrossing documentaries On some flights, our boredom can't be satiated by fictional stories. In those moments, documentaries that teach us things about the world or peel off the layers of a mind-bending mystery are the only thing that can scratch that itch. Sugarcane A heartbreaking film that investigates the dark history of a residential school in Canada. With testimonies from some of its former students, it's a fascinating true crime story you won't soon forget. Emirates Senna If F1 The Movie was your introduction to the world of Formula One, your next step should undoubtedly be director Asif Kapadia's masterful film about the life and death of Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna. An uplifting look at the lives of two men who refused to let their physical disabilities dictate the paths of their lives.