"Designer luggage and fussing bellhops were rarely part of the backdrop for the soprano Nellie Petrova. Then the Bulgarian-born opera singer landed the unusual mission of helping a new UAE five-star hotel go the extra octave to give guests a sophisticated experience. Now, four nights a week, Petrova’s voice greets guests at the spectacular lobby of the Venetian-inspired Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, as sunset illuminates the neighbouring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Although it’s a contrast to the concert halls she is used to, Petrova is bewitched by the setting. 'This is an elegant venue to perform in,' she says, 'an awesome venue, so beautiful, I feel like I am in a movie.' And she should know; the soprano claims a brief appearance in Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Although Petrova admits that while she didn’t meet Tom Cruise, officially, she worked alongside him. 'You could see me in a bright red dress, on his left, as he leaves the bar in the Mumbai party scene.'"
