Guy Manoukian Live 2026 in Dubai

Guy Manoukian Live 2026 in Dubai is a milestone night for the Lebanese-Armenian pianist and composer: on Friday 11 December he returns to Dubai Opera for his 10th performance on its stage, a decade after his story with the venue began. Presented by Dubai Opera, the concert starts at 8pm and celebrates the music and influences that have shaped his career, from his own compositions to Fairouz, Abdel Halim Hafez and jazz standards.

Who is Guy Manoukian?

Guy Manoukian was born in Beirut in 1976 and was a genuine piano prodigy. He started playing at four, studied classical music, appeared on television at five and played at the Presidential Palace in Baabda by the age of six. He began composing at seven, winning his first competition the same year, and gave his first professional concerts in 1994.

His path was not only musical. He earned a law degree in Lebanon and played basketball in the Lebanese league for Homenetmen Beirut, later running the club’s basketball programme. Music won out, and he built a career as a performer, composer and producer, founding Manoukian Music Consultancy, which creates music and sound design for films, artists and advertising. Today he is described as an internationally acclaimed, award-winning artist and global brand ambassador who has played renowned stages around the world.

Albums and awards

His studio and live releases trace the development of his sound:

• REG Project (2001)
• Sarab (2003)
• Live in Cairo (2005)
• Assouman (2009)
• Orchid (2010)
• Nomad (2014)

Along the way his tune “Harem” was named Best Arabic Tune of the Year in Lebanon in 2002, and he won Best Dance Album at the Arabian Music Awards in Dubai in 2003, an early sign of the bond with UAE audiences that this anniversary concert celebrates.

A decade at Dubai Opera

Few artists have a relationship with Dubai Opera like this one. Guy Manoukian has achieved a record nine sold-out shows at the venue, and this 10th appearance is framed as a celebration of ten years of music there. For regulars, it is a chance to mark the anniversary; for anyone who has not seen him live, it is an evening that draws together the strands of his whole career.

What to expect from the show

Manoukian is known for bringing Middle Eastern melodies and influences into contemporary arrangements, and the programme reflects every side of that sound:

• Original works from his own catalogue, the compositions that built his signature blend of East and West.
• Reimagined classics, familiar melodies given new arrangements.
• Fairouz and Abdel Halim Hafez, his interpretations of two of the most loved voices in Arabic song, reworked around the piano.
• International jazz standards, adding another colour to the evening.

The concert runs for about two hours, including a break. The set list has not been published, but the mix of Arabic classics and his own music is what has filled the house nine times before.

Know before you go

Dubai Opera opens its doors two hours before the show and the auditorium 30 minutes before. Latecomers may be held until a suitable break at management’s discretion, and there is no refund for late arrival, so aim to be in your seat by around 7:30pm.

• Children under six are not allowed in the Main Auditorium; everyone aged six and over needs a ticket, and guests aged six to 18 must be with an adult aged 18 or over.
• Overly casual or provocative clothing, such as shorts or flip-flops, is not allowed, and guests who do not comply will be refused entry.
• Phones must be off or silenced, and photography, video and audio recording are not allowed in the auditorium.
• Outside food and drink are not permitted, and eating and drinking inside the auditorium is not allowed at any point, including the interval.
• Concession tickets need valid proof of entitlement at the door.

Getting to Dubai Opera

Dubai Opera is on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai. By car, leave Sheikh Zayed Road at the Financial Center Road exit, follow the signs for Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, keep right and merge onto the boulevard; the Opera is on your right. By Metro, take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and walk for about ten minutes or take a short taxi ride. A taxi from elsewhere in Downtown takes around 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic.

Who it suits

This concert suits longtime fans who have followed Manoukian since his early albums, anyone who grew up with Fairouz and Abdel Halim Hafez and wants to hear them in a new light, and lovers of piano music that moves easily between East and West. It also works well for families with older children, given the six-plus age rule and the two-hour running time.

For more evenings like this, see our guide to concerts in Dubai, browse art and culture, or find more things to do in December across Dubai.