Alexandria Opera House ...Sayed Darwish Theatre .... was restored and inaugurated in 2004.. The Building was constructed in 1918 during the reign of Sultan Fouad 1 and named Mohamed Ali Theatre .It is considered one of the oldest theatres in Egypt. It was owned by Badr El Din Kerdahy who had appointed French architect Georges Baroque to do the design which included classical ornaments of European styles. The theatre was inaugurated in 1921 , In 1962 , the theatre name changed from Mohamed Ali Theatre to Sayed Darwish Theatre and was registered as one of the Islamic monuments in Alexandria due to its distinguished architectural elements and distinctive ornaments . In 2001 ,Farouk Hosny, Egyptian Minister of Culture affiliated the theatre to the Cairo Opera House and gave instructions to have building renovated and refurbished. The theatre is considered an architectural work of art decorated with plant-shaped and geometrically-shaped ornaments in the European style . The building entrance leads to the lobby, baignoires and upper levels. The edifice is three-storey building that includes a large stage and a domed ,highly decorative auditorium. The lobby ceiling is embellished with merged images of musical instruments. Today ,the theatre accommodates varied artistic performances by the Cairo Opera House companies such as the Cairo Symphony Orchestra , Cairo Opera Ballet Company, Cairo Opera Orchestra, Cairo Opera Company, Religious Song Ensemble, Cairo Opera Choir Abdel Halim Newerah Ensemble of Arab Music, National Arab Music Ensemble , Cairo Opera Children Choir, Heritage Ensemble for Arab Music,and Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company besides many visiting companies, local and foreign recitals, Cultural Weeks, and Arab and international festivals . In order to promote ballet , classical and Arab music talents, the Alexandria Opera Company for Arab Music and Singing was established as well as the Talent Development Centre.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 13:39:12 +0000