Words Meet Harmonies concert in Dubai delivers world-class choral magic

Dubai: Okay, full disclosure: I don’t usually watch concerts. I’m not a fan of biritan—those loud, high-pitched attempts that sometimes miss the mark and hit your eardrums instead. Maybe it's age, maybe it’s just taste, but I tend to avoid them.

But a good friend told me, “Don’t generalize. Just listen.” Fine. I listened.

And I’m glad I did.

Last night’s “Words Meet Harmonies” concert at The Fridge in Alserkal wasn’t just another show—it was a spiritual experience. The Angels Singing Choir and the Filipino choir (Koro Ducere + Dubai Camerata Singers) delivered something truly exceptional.

Let’s start with Angels Singing Choir—their harmony was ethereal. The moment they opened their mouths, I felt a wave of calm and chills all over. Their voices were smooth, flawless, and yes—angelic. I literally closed my eyes and thought, Is this heaven’s soundtrack?

Then came the Filipino choir, and wow. The power. The pitch-perfect delivery. The richness in their voices. It was a sonic wave of brilliance that wrapped the audience in goosebumps. When both choirs blended—it was magic. Unreal. That kind of harmony doesn’t just happen—it takes soul.

There was thumping of feet, finger snaps, and yes, the pianist deserves a whole paragraph of praise. Maysel Joy Dano wasn’t just playing—she was feeling. Her piano didn’t just support the voices; it spoke. It breathed with them.

And let’s not forget the emotional glue of the night—Danabelle Gutierrez. Her poetry? Raw. Moving. Honest. Her enunciation, her presence, the way her words wove into the music—it hit differently. She’s not just a poet; she’s a storyteller of the soul.

Bravo to the creative conductors Yuliana Kireyeva and Arne Lubasan, to the choirs, to every single person who brought this to life. This wasn’t just world-class. This was soul-class.

If I had one gripe? The venue. The Fridge, while intimate and artsy, just wasn’t built for this kind of grandeur. The seating capacity was too small—it was packed to the brim with a sold-out crowd, and every seat was taken. This wasn’t your average gig; this was art on a global scale. A performance of this caliber deserves a venue that can hold both its sound and its significance.

Dubai Opera is the obvious home for a show like this—not just for its larger capacity, but because it’s a space worthy of the brilliance on display. A world-class performance needs a world-class stage. Period.

Olga Barcelona, who sat near me, whispered, “It’s like angels are singing.” Another audience member, Dawn, teary-eyed, said, “They made me cry. I have goosebumps.”

And honestly? Same. I absolutely loved it. The moment I closed my eyes and heard their voices, I was transported to another world—my soul felt completely at peace.

We need more of this. More music that unites. More poetry that heals. More stories that connect. To the cast and creators of “Words Meet Harmonies”—thank you. You didn’t just perform. You made us feel. Bravo!