What does it take to shape a cultural institution in one of the world’s fastest-growing global hubs? For Dr. Paolo Petrocelli, the answer lies in equal parts artistic excellence, international cooperation, and a belief that performing arts can elevate entire communities.
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Paolo Petrocelli—Head of Dubai Opera, internationally recognised cultural leader, academic, and newly knighted recipient of Italy’s Order of Merit. With a career spanning 15+ years across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the US, Paolo has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, advised Coldplay, founded EMMA for Peace, and lectured at universities including Yale, MIT, and the Sorbonne.
It’s a conversation about vision: how to build a cultural home that speaks to 200 nationalities, why authenticity matters more than ever in the digital era, and how performing arts can still shape dialogue, belonging, and peace.
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Host: Anna Robb
Editor: Rose Anne Fermocil
Music: Jeremy Willi
Design: Em Holt
Production Coordinator: Roselle Bernardo
Producers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis
Also check out: StageLync Podcast Ep. 48: Nisha Sajnani – Global Leader in Drama Therapy, Arts Health & Creative Leadership
This post was last modified on November 17, 2025 8:16 am