Dubai Opera will welcome Svetlana Zakharova – Gabrielle Chanel Ballet for a one-night-only performance on Sunday, 8 March 2026, with the show set to start at 8:00pm. Doors open at 7:30pm, so early arrival matters in Downtown. For official venue support, call 04 440 8888 and use Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, Dubai for navigation. Tickets are advertised from approximately AED 395, with higher tiers reaching approximately AED 1,395, depending on seating availability.
A double bill shaped as MODANSE
This Dubai date presents MODANSE as a two-part evening, and it leans into contrast rather than repetition. Svetlana Zakharova leads the night, while a Bolshoi Theatre ensemble joins her onstage for a cast-driven programme that keeps momentum across both halves. Because it is a single-evening booking, the pacing tends to feel more like an event than a run-of-shows season engagement. The organiser is M Premiere with MuzArts, and Dubai Opera notes that this is a third-party venue hire, so the promoter leads the presentation details.
Why Zakharova headlines the night
Zakharova brings the kind of authority that changes how a room watches even familiar movement language, and Dubai audiences often respond quickly to that presence. Meanwhile, the supporting cast matters here, because the programme does not rely on a single highlight moment. Expect a performance built around star power and ensemble precision, rather than a mixed gala format with unrelated excerpts. As a result, it suits viewers who want a full narrative arc across the evening (suitable for couples, suitable for solo, not ideal for very young children).
Come Un Respiro sets the tone
The opening ballet, Come Un Respiro (Like a Breath), comes from Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti, and it was created specifically for Zakharova. Moreover, the music draws on works by George Frideric Handel, so the first half carries a Baroque pulse that can feel both formal and surprisingly alive. Dubai Opera also highlights costumes by Helena de Medeiros, which means the visual design plays a strong role in how the choreography reads from the auditorium. If you love music-led movement, this first half will likely land first, because it ties rhythm and gesture tightly together.
Gabrielle Chanel brings fashion into ballet storytelling
After the interval, the evening shifts into Gabrielle Chanel, which frames Coco Chanel’s journey through dance as a metaphor for freedom and reinvention. The ballet credits include choreographer Yury Possokhov, composer Ilya Demutsky, and director and librettist Alexei Frandetti, so it sits closer to a theatrical collaboration than a purely abstract piece. Dubai Opera notes that CHANEL’s Fashion House studio, under Virginie Viard’s artistic direction, created more than 80 costumes for the production, and that scale changes the stage picture immediately. This second part tends to appeal to ballet fans and fashion-minded audiences alike, because it treats movement as character and costume as narrative texture.
Timing and entry rules to plan around
Dubai Opera lists the total runtime as approximately 2 hours including intermission, so you can plan transport without guessing the finish window too wildly. However, the venue also states that latecomers will not enter once the performance begins, and it only allows entry during intermission when applicable. Because of that, aim for the doors-open window, especially if you expect Downtown traffic. Children aged 6 and above need a valid ticket, while children under 6 are not permitted inside the Main Auditorium, so families should plan with that rule upfront (family-friendly for ages 6+, suitable for couples, suitable for solo).
Getting there with a few reliable options
If you want the lowest-stress approach, consider the Dubai Metro Red Line and get off at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station, then walk along Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard toward Dubai Opera. Dubai Opera describes the walk from Burj Khalifa Station as approximately 25 minutes, and it also notes easy access from The Dubai Mall, so you can choose the route that feels simplest. Alternatively, taxis and ride-hailing work well for a direct drop-off, although traffic can slow sharply near the Opera District close to showtime. If you drive, treat parking as time-sensitive, because Dubai Mall and Downtown dining peaks can tighten space even when the event itself feels calm.
If you travel from Abu Dhabi, leaving earlier helps, because the return drive after a Sunday night show can feel longer when everyone exits Downtown at once. Likewise, if you come from Sharjah or Ajman, build in buffer time, since bridge and interchange flow can change quickly in the evening. Meanwhile, if you plan a late return to the Northern Emirates, keep a backup plan for pickup points, because some drivers prefer easier meeting spots slightly outside the busiest Downtown lanes. A smooth arrival usually starts with a conservative timetable, even when the distance looks manageable.
A clear ticketing plan without overthinking it
For the most straightforward purchase path, use DUBAI OPERA and confirm your date as Sunday, 8 March 2026, then lock the seat tier you want before the closer sections disappear. At the same time, PLATINUM LIST also lists the event with a stated start time of 8:00pm and pricing from approximately AED 395, so it works as a widely used alternative in Dubai for ticketed listings. Because promoters can adjust seat maps and availability, treat all prices as approximately and recheck your confirmation details on the day. If you want to avoid last-minute seat compromises, book earlier rather than later.
A practical Sunday night note for weather traffic and parking
A precise weather forecast for Sunday, 8 March 2026 is not available this far ahead, so plan around typical early-March conditions in Dubai, which often sit around high 20s Celsius by day and upper teens to low 20s at night, with generally low rainfall but occasional surprise showers. Accordingly, wear light, smart layers, and bring a thin wrap for strong indoor air-conditioning, especially in the auditorium. For traffic, expect pressure around Dubai Mall and the Opera District near 7:00pm to 8:00pm, so arrive close to 7:30pm doors-open if you want a calmer entry and easier parking decisions. The single most important tip is this: arrive early because late entry is restricted once the performance begins. Ticket prices remain approximately AED 395 to AED 1,395, and they may change, so use DUBAI OPERA or PLATINUM LIST for the most reliable ticket routes, while also keeping your confirmation details handy at the door. Finally, the way this show is framed as a venue-hire night matches what the editor at www.few.ae usually flags for Dubai Opera listings, especially when promoter rules affect entry timing.
then "Add to Home Screen"