Umberto Fanni, General Director and Artistic Director of the Royal Opera House Muscat, has had a distinguished career in the field of performing arts and artistic management. Among his early achievements is the founding of the Young Italian Chamber Orchestra, composed entirely of talented young musicians who are now established soloists or members of renowned orchestras. Since 2014, Fanni has served as General Director and Artistic Director of the Royal Opera House Muscat. Under his leadership, he has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the Royal Opera House Muscat as a world-class institution. Of particular note is his initiative in developing several opera co-productions with leading international opera houses and in producing original cultural projects in-house. In recognition of his contribution to the enrichment of musical art in Oman and beyond, Umberto Fanni was awarded the Order of Honour in January 2024 by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. Since 2020, Fanni has been a Council Member of the Beijing Forum for Performing Arts and, since 2023, a Board Member of the World Association of Performing Arts. In September 2024, he was invited as a speaker at the St. Petersburg International United Culture Forum.2025