Lebanon Opera Showcases Rich Arab Culture

The leading actors from Antar and Abla, which has performed for the first time in a theatre within Lebanon's grand Casino du Liban the weekend of July 9-10, 2016. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

More than 80 actors and singers are involved in the performance. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

Soprano Lara Jokhadar plays Abla, a princess who falls for Abla, a slave. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

Antar, the hero of the opera, is played by well known performer Ghassan Saliba. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

Maxime Chami plays Mared Tay, the villain of the opera. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

Antar and Abla is based on an epic poem thought to date back to the 6th century. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

Maestro Maroun Rai, in the foreground, is one of the main figures behind the production. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

Middle Eastern music is also incorporated into the score for Antar and Abla. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

The orchestra for Antar and Abla trained at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory for Music. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

Rehearsals have run up to the day before the first performance. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

Performers ready themselves backstage. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

An actress waits in the wings for her turn to go onstage. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

Backstage in the theatre in Casino du Liban, which is in the Lebanese coastal city of Jounieh. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

With no opera house in Lebanon, the troupe had to rehearse where they could. Here, they make use of a local government building. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)

A dress rehearsal takes place in the theatre within Casino Du Liban. The Opera troupe has been rehearsing for two years ahead of the first performance. (Photo: John Owens for VOA)