Fatima Alhashmi is giving opera a powerful new voice

Life

A case can be made that Timothée cares about” opera and ballet any- more, arguably cost him a best actor Oscar this year. In fact, all anyone has to do is look at the vibrancy of the current opera scene to know that the 30-year-old actor still has a lot to learn. Because as much as opera may be rooted in centuries of European tradition, it is artists like Fatima Alhashmi who are proving that the genre continues to evolve through diverse cultural perspectives. As one of the UAE’s emerging opera talents, the Emirati mezzo- soprano has been steadily carving a path that bridges classical technique with a deep connection to her roots and heritage.

Growing up, art was never far away from Alhashmi. Her father is an Arabic calligrapher, and music filled the family home relatives who sang, others who played instruments. It was an environment that shaped her ear and her instincts long before she ever set foot on a stage. “At first, it was mainly Arabic music that shaped my musical environment,” she recalls. Later, through school and the study of piano, Alhashmi began performing in competitions and concerts. Opera, however, was never part of the plan. “Singing was always something I loved, but I never imagined that one day I would become an opera singer.”

What drew her in was the totality of the form. In opera, she found something that other disciplines couldn’t offer the ability to combine music, drama and expression in a unique and immersive experience. “A single phrase can carry an entire universe of feeling,” she says. “It allows performers to fully inhabit a character and tell stories that touch the audience emotionally.” For an Emirati artist working within a traditionally European art form, the question of identity is one she has thought about deeply. Rather than seeing the two worlds as separate, Alhashmi views her cultural background as something that enriches her performances. “Being Emirati is at the core of my identity, my voice and the stories I’m drawn to,” she explains. “When I perform, I bring my own experiences with me, and I think that adds a unique layer to the performance.” Opera, she is quick to point out, is a living art form, one that evolves with every artist who steps into it.

That belief has taken her far. Having performed internationally through initiatives supported by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), Alhashmi has been part of a growing movement bringing Emirati musical talent onto the world stage. A performance at Kensington Palace in London, as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad programme, stands out as a particular milestone, not only personally, but as a moment of cultural diplomacy. “It was not only a personal milestone but also an opportunity to represent the UAE’s artistic voice on a global stage.” In the fall she will return to the stage closer to home. As part of the next Abu Dhabi Festival, Alhashmi will present a special recital alongside pianist Ina Chareli – a programme that blends classical works with ele- ments inspired by Arabic musical traditions. “I think audiences will experience a range of emotions throughout the performance,” she says.

Backstage, the calm she projects is hard- won. A self-confessed perfectionist, Alhashmi admits the nerves never fully go away before a performance. But she has come to see that as a feature rather than a flaw. “I think that nervous energy is healthy – it pushes you to be more dedicated and focused.” Once she begins to sing, something shifts. The connection with the music, and with the audience, takes over. It is a journey she hopes will inspire others. Having performed since 2009, she has watched interest in classical music and opera grow steadily among young people in the region. Her advice is straightforward: follow your curiosity, but do so with patience and discipline. “Pursuing classical music or opera in our region might seem unconventional, but every artistic field begins with pioneers who believe in it.” Training, she stresses, is everything.

At the root of it all is her father – the first person she names when asked about inspiration. His passion for art, and his patience, set the course. She recalls him telling her, “Work on your hobby and your passion, because one day it will become your career.” Those words, it turns out, were right, and the world is better for it.