Dubai is a long way from La Scala in almost every sense, but the bustling metropolis is about to unveil a spectacular, state-of-the-art venue for opera lovers in the heart of what the city has dubbed “The Opera District.” Another elaborate opera house opened a few years ago in neighboring Muscat, Oman, and new houses are under construction in Harbin and Guangzhou in China. Great news for Wagner enthusiasts in those regions, but analysts at The Economist wonder just what is behind the boom in opera venues in cultures that have scant prior exposure to the art form.
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