Water in the Desert: A Zayed Legacy, is an opera project named for the centenary of the birth of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed. This original opera was created by more than 80 students in collaboration with European opera experts. Fusing the UAE’s rich heritage with the Western music genre. Students worked together to write a libretto, design set and costumes, develop the score and choreograph dances. Their ideas were incorporated into the final production, which was staged in October 2018 to great acclaim.

Composer: Hannah Conway

Director: Karen Gillingham

Film maker: Magali Charrier