Qatar’s Building A New Center For Classical Music. Is It Viable?

“Who will fill the lecture theatres, staff the orchestras and fill the concert halls when so few Qatar residents turn out for a concert with the biggest name in the opera business? The LPO’s Tim Walker says that on the ground, classical music is thriving. In Dubai alone 25,000 people are learning musical instruments. There’s a private music school with 90 students, and there are excellent music stores. We will also be helping to train orchestral players. A viable musical life in the Gulf is possible.”