On 8 March 2026, Dubai Opera hosts an exceptional one-night ballet event as internationally renowned ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, the Bolshoi Theatre’s prima and an étoile of Teatro alla Scala, returns to the stage with MODANSE, a double bill produced by MuzArts. Celebrated as a defining figure of 21st-century ballet, Zakharova is joined by an outstanding ensemble of dancers from the Bolshoi Theatre for an evening of refined artistry and expressive movement.
The programme opens with Come Un Respiro (Like a Breath), a ballet created especially for Svetlana Zakharova by Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti. Set to selected works by George Frideric Handel, the piece draws inspiration from the Baroque era, reflected not only in its musical foundation but also in its choreographic language. The visual identity is completed by striking, stylish, and daring costumes designed exclusively for the ballet by Helena de Medeiros.
The second half of the evening presents Gabrielle Chanel, a tribute to the legendary fashion icon Mademoiselle Coco Chanel. This ballet is a collaboration between choreographer Yury Possokhov and composer Ilya Demutsky, with a libretto and direction by Alexei Frandetti.
More than 80 bespoke costumes have been created specifically for the production by the CHANEL Fashion House studio, headed by Artistic Director Virginie Viard.
Through dance, the performance traces Chanel’s extraordinary journey from an obscure provincial singer to the head of one of the most influential fashion houses of the 20th century. Movement becomes a metaphor for freedom, elegance, and transformation, reflecting Chanel’s deep connection to dance as a language and an expression of beauty.
Experience a night where ballet, music, and fashion intersect on one of Dubai’s most iconic stages.
Presented by M Premiere and MuzArts
Please note: This performance is a venue hire presented by a third-party promoter, M Premiere and MuzArts, and is not produced or presented by Dubai Opera.