Ana Maria Martinez may be one of the world's leading prima donnas, but that is on the stage. Off the boards she is admired by all who work with her, not just for her beautiful voice but for her wonderful demeanour.
As she walked into the wings following her rightly earned standing ovation after both nights of singing Mimi in Puccini's La Bohème at the Emirates Palace auditorium on Thursday and Friday she could have been forgiven for behaving in an excited manner, full of her own importance. However, she gave the impression that she had just finished her shopping at the local supermarket.
"Do you think that went OK?" she smiled. "I enjoyed that. Singing always gives me a wonderful feeling inside, especially if I am performing in a country I have never visited before."
Martinez was only able to spend a few days in Abu Dhabi, which, she admitted, was a disappointment.
"It is such a shame," she said. "But we fly in shortly before the opera and then fly away again the morning after the last night. That's the way this life is I'm afraid."
Although saying that she always suffered from nerves before a performance - "I believe that having butterflies in your tummy keeps you on your toes" - the role of Mimi should hold no fear for Martinez, as she has played it for many of the world's leading opera companies for 14 years.
That wasn't so, however, for other cast members. "Lots of the artists here in Abu Dhabi are doing La Bohème for the first time so, it is nice to be able to pass on some of my experience of the opera to them and, hopefully, help the show in a way other than just by singing in it," she said.
Her generosity with her time was fully appreciated by everyone connected with the opera and was proof that although she may be one of the world's most sought after prima donnas but she can still be "one of the gang".
This was never more apparent than when she was drinking coffee outside her dressing room with other cast members who all sported badges showing they were performers. Martinez's badge said simply "crew". When asked if she was making extra money helping with the lighting she laughed and replied: "There were no more 'performer' badges left so I was given this. It's cute isn't it. I've never been a crew member before, I'm definitely going to tuck this away with my souvenirs."
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to opera singer Evangelina Colon, Martinez has won Grammys for her recordings as well as winning various world awards for brilliance.
Married with a three-year-old son, Martinez said she would love to return to Abu Dhabi again to perform. "I love bringing opera to all parts of the world and it is wonderful to know that I have been part of the very first full opera to be performed here," she said. "I hope all who came enjoyed it and that it if was their first opera it left them with the feeling that they would like to come again."
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
Stage result
1. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Bora-Hansgrohe, in 3:29.09
2. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto-Soudal
3. Rudy Barbier (FRA) Israel Start-Up Nation
4. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Jumbo-Visma
5. Luka Mezgec (SLO) Mitchelton-Scott
6. Alberto Dainese (ITA) Sunweb
7. Jakub Mareczko (ITA) CCC
8. Max Walscheid (GER) NTT
9. José Rojas (ESP) Movistar
10. Andrea Vendrame (ITA) Ag2r La Mondiale, all at same time
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
