Cairo Opera Orchestra


 The Cairo Opera Orchestra is a world-renowned orchestra that performs at the Cairo Opera House in Cairo, Egypt. The orchestra has performed in famous operas, ballets, and gala concerts, including Verdi's Aida at the Pyramids platform.

Since the founding of the Cairo Opera Orchestra in 1994, it has played a main role in Egypt’s music scene. The orchestra’s repertoire includes a vast number of celebrated classic ballets and famous operas or operettas which are successfully performed with the Cairo Opera Ballet Company or the Cairo Opera Company.


In 1995, Sherif Mohie El Din was appointed as an Orchestra Director, and the Orchestra was joined by an increasing number of talented Egyptian musicians. Shortly afterwards, they appeared in a series of symphonic afternoon concerts under the name of “Music for All”, which won instant acclaim.


The Orchestra has been headed by various Egyptian and international conductors such as Patrick Fournillier, Dominique Rouits (France), Robert Lyall (USA), Ivan Filiev (Bulgaria), Giorgio Croci (Italy), Youssef El Sisi (Egypt) and Moustafa Nagui. Among the soloists participating in the orchestra concerts are the renowned Monserrat Caballe, Wolfgang Marschner, Gisèle Herbet, Dame Malvina Mayor, as well as top Egyptian soloists. In addition to its important role in national tours, the Orchestra was invited to several tours in countries such as Austria, Germany, France and Lebanon.


In the 2002/2003 season, Nader Abbassi was appointed Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Cairo Opera Orchestra. He significantly advanced the Orchestra’s skills by encouraging a versatile, professional approach to the performance of music.

To broaden the skills of the musicians and solo singers, Nader Abbassi added to the schedule orchestral performances, called Gala Concerts. Up to seven Gala Concerts of outstanding quality are performed each season.


The Cairo Opera Orchestra participated in famous ballets, operas and Gala Concerts including Verdi’s epic “Aida”, which was performed at the Pyramids platform. The Orchestra collaborated with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra and the Spirit of Europe Orchestra in two Gala Concerts and participated in some of the world’s most renowned music festivals such as Ludwigshafen, Germany, or Servantino and Tamaulipas Festivals in Mexico.





NADER ABBASSI - Conductor and Composer

 

In his conducting career Nader Abbassi benefits from his wide professional experience as composer, singer and bassoonist.

​

He made his acclaimed conducting-debut in 2002 with Verdi's "Aida" at the pyramids in Giza.

His extensive work as an opera-conductor includes:

“Maria Golovine”, “Hamlet”, “Un Ballo in Maschera”, “La Belle Helene”, “Aida”, “Carmen”  (Marseille Opera House), “Dialogues des Carmelites” (Opéra de Bordeaux), “Aida” (Glimmerglass Festival New York, Thessaloniki Greece, Beijing China), “La Traviata”, “La Bohème” (Ireland & Russia), “Madama Butterfly”, “Barbe Bleue” (Marseille) “Kiss Me Kate” (Geneva).Ne


In the course of his career Nader Abbassi has held the positions of artistic director and principal conductor of the following orchestras:


Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Doha, Katar (2009-2012)

Cairo Opera Opera Orchestra, Cairo, Egypt (2002-2011)


Under his leadership these orchestras were invited to perform in many tours and festivals in Germany, Austria, France, Netherlands, Greece, South-Korea, China, Oman, Mexico,  Argentina.

​

Since 2004 Nader is the musical director of the

Orchestre pour la Paix Paris, France.

This orchestra was founded by the Argentinian pianist Miguel Estrella and unites young professional musicians from all over the world to promote a peaceful dialogue between different cultures and religions.

With the Orchestre pour la Paix Nader Abbassi leads performances at the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Petra (Jordan), the International Court of Justice at De Hague, Théâtre de Châtelet, the Sénat de France.


A charismatic artistic leader, commanding a large repertoire of opera, ballet and symphonic music, he is a regular guest conductor at many international opera companies and orchestras, such as: Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Orchestre de Marseille, Orchestre de Bordeaux, Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne, Glimmerglass Festival NY, Sacramento Philharmonic, Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Royal Opera Oman, Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Lisbon Philharmonic Orchestra.

​

He is a permanent Jury member of the “International Stenhammar Singing Competition” at Norrköping, the UNESCO City of Music in Sweden.



​

Nader Abbassi is the founder and musical director of the

United Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir - with whom he performs various concerts and participates in numerous international musical events.

 

In 2021 Maestro Nader Abbassi is the musical director and conductor  of two unique historical events in Egypt - each including more than 1000 musicians under his his leadership:

The Pharaoh’s Golden Parade - celebrating the journey of 22 Royal mummies through the          city of Cairo .


Both events were globally broadcast and earned wide international recognition.

The Sphinx Road also featured several of Nader's original compositions.

 

The compositions of Nader Abbassi are being performed by numerous orchestras in France, Europe, Asia, North- and South America.

 

For his achievements in music and culture Nader Abbassi has received many distinctions and awards: (selection)

-Award of Excellency for the Pharao’s Golden Parade by the Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism Egypt

-Award of Excellency of the Ministry of Culture Egypt

-Award of Honour of the University of Technology and Information, Cairo, Egypt

-Award of Lifetime Achievement of the Egyptian State TV

-GPIS Award of Excellency

-Award of Special Achievements for the Arts, National Academy of Arts Egypt

-Award of Achievment for the Young Generation

of the Cairo University -Award of Honour of Ain Shams University




Share by: