Day in the life: Dubai Opera boss hits the high notes

With Dubai Opera set to launch this week, chief executive Jasper Hope offers an insight into a typical day at the office in the run up to the opening.

Jasper Hope, the chief executive of Dubai Opera, brings with him years of experience at the Royal Albert Hall. Razan Alzayani for The National

Jasper Hope is the chief executive of Dubai Opera, a new performance arts venue opening in Downtown Dubai on Wednesday with a show by Placido Domingo. Born in Durban, South Africa, the 47-year-old moved to the UK when he was five. Formerly the chief operating officer of London’s Royal Albert Hall, Mr Hope now lives in Arabian Ranches with his family and has a seven-year-old daughter and a son, age three. He is also the brother of the famous violinist Daniel Hope.

6am

I haven’t needed an alarm clock for some years, as one or both of my children can be relied upon to announce the new day. That hasn’t been a problem in Dubai because I haven’t been at Dubai Opera attending shows until late and dining even later, as I will be frequently in future. I’m well used to that life after 25 years but I do sometimes wish for an occasional lie-in. I have breakfast with the kids – fruit, toast and juice. On the way to the office I listen to the news and an arts or culture programme podcast to help stay in touch with what’s current on other stages around the world.

8am

Today begins with meeting our 55th new member of staff. I was the first person to be hired and I’ve had involvement in hiring every person since to shape a new, completely international team.

9am

I have an interview with a tourism specialised journalist for an international publication. In pre-opening months, significant time has been required for talking to local, regional and international journalists and agencies. There is genuine excitement about the programme, about the importance of adding another layer of entertainment and sophistication to Dubai’s international offering.

10am

I attend a meeting with Expo 2020 to explore ways in which Dubai Opera may support the incredible range of events and activities being planned. Although we’re a small-scale project by comparison, we have four years in advance of the celebration to connect with cultural strands of their programme and, even more importantly, to remain part of the cultural legacy long after. Before this role I was at the Royal Albert Hall, a result of Prince Albert’s vision following the Great Exhibition of 1851, forerunner of the modern Expo.

11am

A delegation from Cape Town Opera is en route to Europe for performances at festivals. My team has given them a tour and we discuss whether one of their excellent productions can be presented at Dubai Opera. Opera is an extremely resource-heavy art form and planning tends to be completed years in advance to ensure the best artists and companies can be booked, so we’re talking at least two years ahead of time.

2pm

I have an interview with French TV. It’s a pleasure to talk about Dubai Opera in detail and the experience we hope to deliver.

4pm

I have a conference call with a prospective major sponsor to discuss the proposal we’ve been working on. These deals can be for many years so the relationship between parties is critical, as is working out detailed benefits to both sides in advance.

4.30pm

I make calls to representatives of artists and productions. We envisage around 200 performances every year at Dubai Opera, plus corporate and social events in addition to our banquet mode. To make sure we get the best of the best, relationships developed over many years have to be sustained, refreshed and details discussed about upcoming ideas and projects.

6pm

My PA and I meet towards the end of every day to talk about the next day’s activities, any changes to plans or priorities to take account of calls and meetings during the day and anything upcoming. I don’t stop a great deal, so this time is important to catch up and plan the next 24 hours.

7pm

Until I need to be attending performances several nights a week, I make it a priority to be at home to read to my children every night. I'm happy to deal with unfinished matters, particularly European and US calls after that, but family time and introducing young minds to the wonders of stories is something I cherish above all else. The elder is currently reading a Pippi Longstocking book by Astrid Lindgren.

8pm

If I do have free time in the evening, I love the chance to make dinner. I studied hotel management at university and the appreciation of good food is a pleasure to this day, and its preparation is something which helps me relax enormously from any stresses of the day. I don't tend to watch television but I always make time to read before bed. My father is an author, so from my earliest childhood I've known the pleasure of a good book and I try to read a new novel every week. I've just started The Other Side of Silence, by Philip Kerr.

Follow The National's Business section on Twitter