Emirates Opera Choir – Dubai
Operatic Choir and Cultural Association for Romantic Repertoire & Grand Opera Events in Dubai and the Middle East
The Emirates Opera Choir (EOC), based in Dubai and conducted by Emanuela Di Pietro, is an ensemble of passionate multinational singers.
Dedicated to the great Operatic and Romantic repertoire, the choir is formed exclusively by voices who share a passion for artistic excellence and cultural enrichment.
Its mission is to promote high-quality cultural events, including operatic stage productions, collaborations with leading Opera Houses, and initiatives that foster a deeper appreciation of classical music within the UAE and beyond.
With its international spirit and commitment to artistry, the Emirates Opera Choir stands as a vibrant cultural ambassador, bringing the timeless beauty of opera and classical music to diverse audiences.
Under the artistic direction of Maestra Emanuela Di Pietro, one of Italy’s foremost experts in operatic choir conducting, EOC offers a platform for vocalists to engage in high-level choral projects, opera productions, symphonic concerts, and international vocal camps both in Dubai and around the world, organising Choir Campus, Opera Masterclassses and Choir Festivals in Dubai and in Italy. In the next year 2026 the Choir is going to perform “La Traviata” in Italy.
WE ARE OPEN FOR AUDITIONS!
Next audition session will be on 28th February 2026.
If you are interested to join our choir and participate to the performance of “La Traviata” in 2026-2027 as chorister or soloists, please write us:
EMAIL: 💌🎶 meochoir@gmail.com
Emanuela Di Pietro – Choir Conductor
About our Choir Conductor
An accomplished Italian conductor, Maestra Di Pietro has led prestigious ensembles such as the Coro del Teatro La Fenice in Venice and Teatro Petruzzelli di Bari. Known for her expertise in vocal pedagogy and refined musicality, she has conducted major operatic works across Europe. Her leadership brings EOC a deep connection to the grand tradition of Italian opera and a rigorous artistic vision for its future.
Emanuela Di Pietro – Academic and Professional Curriculum
Education & Academic Roles
Graduated Magna cum laude probatus in Gregorian Chant and Sacred Music at the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra (Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music), Rome.
Since 1992: Lecturer in Choral Repertoire and Choir Conducting at the San Pietro a Maiella Music Conservatory, Naples.
2011: Teacher in the Master of Choir Conducting and Italian Choral Singing at the Conservatory of Boulogne-Billancourt (Paris).
Qualified to teach Scenic Arts at Music Conservatories.
Teacher of Vocal and Choral Practice at the IALS (Istituto di Addestramento per i Lavoratori dello Spettacolo), Rome.
Autumn 2001: Lecturer in Vocality and Choir Direction at the University of Naples.
Teacher at Master Courses in Choir Conducting and Choral Practice in Cosenza and Sapri.
Qualified to teach in Higher Schools.
Additional studies at the National Academy of Dance (Rome) and La Sapienza University (Rome).
Artistic Career
2013: Choir Conductor at the Verdi Festival in Beijing (Requiem, La Traviata, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, Gran Gala).
2012: Choir Master in Cenerentola, una fiaba in diretta, RAI/Andermann production, broadcast worldwide live. Conductor: Gianluigi Gelmetti. Director: Carlo Verdone.
2010: Choir Master in Rigoletto a Mantova, RAI/Andermann production, broadcast worldwide live. Conductor: Zubin Mehta. Director: Marco Bellocchio. With Plácido Domingo and Ruggero Raimondi.
2004–2008: Chorus Master at Teatro La Fenice Foundation, Venice.
2003–2004: Chorus Master at Teatro Verdi Foundation, Trieste.
Since 1981: Chorus Master in leading opera and symphonic seasons in Italy and abroad, acclaimed by both audiences and critics. Her repertoire extends from Gregorian chant to polyphony, melodrama, and contemporary music.
International Engagements
Performed in: Jordan, Iraq, Tunisia, Malta, USA, Canada, France, UK, Switzerland, Argentina, Germany, Portugal, Salzburg Festival, Slovenia, Romania, Japan, China.
Selected Highlights
1991: Chorus Master at Teatro Petruzzelli, Bari.
1992: Conducted the choir for the opera and symphonic season at Teatro Politeama Greco, Lecce.
1994: Founded the Solisti Cantori Choir.
1987–2001: Chorus Master for the opera season at Teatro A. Rendano, Cosenza.
1997: Chorus Master at the Premio Abbiati critics’ award (Teatro Rendano, Cosenza).
Conducted for Eroine Pucciniane, a television production from Lecce, presented by Pippo Baudo with Katia Ricciarelli and international singers (Canale 5).
1998: With Katia Ricciarelli, prepared and conducted the Città di Cosenza Children’s Choir for Christmas Concerts.
2000: Prepared and conducted the choir for Traviata a Paris, conducted by Zubin Mehta, directed by G. Patroni-Griffi. RAI/Andermann worldwide live broadcast in 125 countries. (Winner of the Emmy Award and Prix d’Italie 2001).
2001: Conducted the Scarlatti Orchestra and Solisti Cantori Choir at the Royal Festival Hall, London, with a tour of 26 performances across major UK theatres (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol) in the concert program Viva Verdi! From Nabucco to Falstaff, to great critical acclaim.
Collaborations with Renowned Conductors
Worked with: Claudio Abbado, Bruno Aprea, Daniele Arrivabeni, Donato Renzetti, Bonynge, Callegari, Carella, Carminati, Ottavio Dantone, Franci, Gelmetti, Eliahu Inbal, Vladimir Jurowski, Herbert von Karajan, Dmitri Kitajenko, Peter Maag, Gianandrea Noseda, Riccardo Muti, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Ennio Morricone, Daniele Gatti, Sir Neville Marriner, Kurt Masur, Georges Prêtre.
EOC OPERA LAB – THE FIRST ITALIAN OPERA SINGING MASTERCLASS IN UAE
Dubai | February – March 2026
We are happy to announce an exceptional Italian Operatic Singing Masterclass taking place for the first time in Dubai — a unique opportunity for singers, pianists, accompanists, and opera enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the Italian opera tradition under the guidance of world-renowned professionals.
This Masterclass is designed as a large theatrical laboratory, fostering collaboration, artistic growth, and ensemble performance — not just a series of individual lessons but a shared creative environment that mirrors the dynamics of real opera production.
Participants are encouraged to stay for the entire duration, engaging in both individual coaching and group work. 🎭
LEVEL OF PARTICIPANTS
The masterclass is open to singers of all levels, who wish to deepen their study of the highest Italian bel canto tradition in order to develop an high quality operatic voice.
It is suitable for those preparing a solo operatic role, as well as for singers working on ensemble scenes and for choristers. While previous vocal training is recommended, the courses are not limited to professionals only. For beginners or singers at an early stage of their vocal development, we strongly recommend enrolling in the individual courses rather than the collective ones, in order to receive focused and personalized guidance.
CLASSES
The Masterclass offers three different courses.
Participants may choose to enroll in more than one course.
The first course is charged at full price, while any additional course (second and third) is available at 50% of the fee.
– Solo Operatic singing lessons with Maestro Salvatore Cordella
– Piano lessons for accompanists and operatic piano coaching with maestro Roberto Corliano’
– Stagecraft and group scenes, choirs, duets, trios, quartets, etc. with maestra Di Pietro (The Choir Lab this year is dedicated to “La Traviata” Choirs)
– Auditor (for people who just want to come and see without participating)
DATES & SCHEDULE:
Saturday, February 28 – 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
Sunday, March 1 – Full-Day Masterclass (9:30 AM–8:00 PM)
Fri–Sun, March 6–7–8 – Full-Day Masterclass (9:30 AM–6PM)
🎶 Final Concert of students: Sunday, March 8th in the evening
PARTICIPATION FEE
1600aed per class
Including 5 days of Opera LAB and Final Concert.
Participants may choose to enroll in more than one course.
The first course is charged at full price, while any additional course is available at 50% of the fee.
REPERTOIRE (SOLOISTS):
To allow us to organize the classes and individual work in the best possible way, we kindly ask all soloists to send their repertoire selection by February 10th.
Please indicate one, two, or a maximum of three arias you would like to work on during the Opera LAB.
By February 10th, we also kindly ask you to proceed with the deposit payment of 600 AED, which confirms your participation in the Opera LAB.
(The remaining balance can be paid on the first day of the Masterclass.)
REPERTOIRE (CHOIR):
The Choir Lab this year is dedicated to “La Traviata” Choirs. We will share with you the score after the subscription.
OUR MASTERCLASS FACULTY
Maestro Salvatore Cordella – Tenor & Vocal Coach
Maestro Salvatore Cordella is one of today’s most distinguished Italian tenors, with an illustrious international career spanning major opera houses around the world. Born in Copertino, Italy, Cordella has performed in prestigious venues such as La Fenice (Venice), the Salzburg Festival, Opéra Bastille (Paris), and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he appeared in leading roles including Alfredo in La Traviata, Roberto in Maria Stuarda, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Nemorino in L’Elisir d’Amore alongside world-renowned artists and conductors.
He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Germogli d’Arte Academy in Puglia, Italy — a hub for young opera talent that culminates each summer in an international gala opera concert. Under his guidance, many students have debuted in major opera houses worldwide. Maestro Cordella also works as a vocal coach preparing singers for professional stage careers and collaborates with institutions such as Opera London and national opera companies across Italy and Romania.
At the Masterclass, Maestro Cordella will focus on full bel canto technique — helping singers liberate their instruments with a rich, expressive Italianate sound.
Maestra Emanuela Di Pietro – Choir & Ensemble Director
Maestra Emanuela Di Pietro is a respected Italian choral conductor and vocal coach, known for her work in opera theaters across Italy. She has served in leading choral roles, including as Chorus Master and Choir Director at Teatro La Fenice in Venice, one of Italy’s most prestigious opera houses, and at Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, where she prepared choruses for operatic and symphonic productions.
Her experience encompasses ensemble direction, vocal blending, and dramatic group performance.
In Dubai, Maestra Di Pietro’s classes will be devoted to stagecraft and ensemble scenes — preparing duets, trios, quartets, and group numbers with a deep focus on both vocal artistry and theatrical expression.
🎹 PIANO – Maestro Roberto Corlianò – Pianist & Coach for Opera Pianists
Maestro Roberto Corlianò is an internationally active pianist and composer with an extensive career as performer, accompanist, and creator of piano paraphrases drawn from operatic repertoire. His artistry bridges performance and composition, reflecting the great Italian piano tradition with creative interpretations and arrangements of opera themes.
He has been recognized for his work with awards such as the Golden Opera Award for his piano paraphrases on opera works, and has collaborated with prominent performers in both recital and opera contexts.
The Piano Masterclass is specifically tailored to pianists who wish to specialize as opera accompanists and vocal coaches, focusing on the preparation of complete operatic roles, rehearsal technique, and collaborative skills required for opera production.
