Amsterdam - Pianist and composer Michiel Borstlap wrote a narrative of his personal experiences in making an opera about the Persian medieval legend Avicenna (980-1037). Based on a 70-page libretto written by an Iraqi writer, Borstlap travelled to Cairo with his friend and colleague Melchior Huurdeman where he composed the opera in a worldrecord three weeks. Commissioned by the Emir of Qatar and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missned, Michiel Borstlap composed the world’s first Arabic opera. Both the Emir and the Emira, strong endorsers of culture and education attended the Worldpremiere in 2003 which was held in the capital of Qatar and televised by Al Jazeera for an audience of 300 million. Qatar, a little but very productive country is emerging into a powerful nation. The progressive leadership and rapid reforms conducted by the Emir and the Emira are applauded around the world. Michiel Borstlap's book Opera in Qatar is a remarkable and adventureous essay about the making of opera Avicenna, two Egyptian producers, a Rumanian orchestra, a Lebanese choir, a Roman conductor and choreographer, a Syrian stage-designer, a Flemish light designer, the best ballet-group from the Levant, and a cast with great soloists from all over the world. Dutch leading newspaper de Volkskrant issued a frontpage article and reviewed the worldpremiere: Heroic is the music of composer Michiel Borstlap, who never made an opera before. He delivered an energetic score, which referred to Bernstein, Morricone and Verdi, with eastern sweeping violins and salted percussion. Opera in Qatar, a book written by award winning pianist and composer Michiel Borstlap is published by Uitgeverij van Oorschot. More information: Uitgeverij van Oorschot +31.20.6274679 or email: contact@vanoorschot.nl Translation in English will be decided shortly.