Algarabía: flamenco meets Arabic poetry at Emirates Palace on 26 November
A new Abu Dhabi Festival commission with Cynthya Karam, Jesús Carmona and verses by Nizar Qabbani and Ibn Zamrak.
Algarabía, a newly commissioned production that blends flamenco with Arabic music and poetry, has its Arab world premiere at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi on Thursday 26 November 2026. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm, according to Platinumlist.
The work premiered to a sold-out audience in Pamplona, Spain, in March 2026. It is co-produced by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, Museo Universidad de Navarra and Khawla Art and Culture, and is part of the Abu Dhabi Festival.
Lebanese singer and actress Cynthya Karam plays Farah, Spanish dancer and choreographer Jesús Carmona plays Florencio, Lebanese actor and writer Rafic Ali Ahmad is the Spirit of the Garden and flamenco dancer Lucía Campillo is Candela. The University of Navarra Symphony Orchestra and Choir play under conductor Borja Quintas, with oud, flamenco guitar and four dancers from Sharjah Performing Arts Academy.
FACT Magazine says the score includes music by Emirati composer Ihab Darwish and Manuel de Falla, and the texts draw on Nizar Qabbani, the Andalusian poet Ibn Zamrak, Miguel Hernández and Saint John of the Cross. The show is for ages 10 and over.
Source: Platinumlist, FACT Magazine
