Classical Music: Travel
Search:
Classical Music: Travel
|
EAST MEETS WEST AT THE FIFTH ABU DHABI MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
Photo: Anna Netrebko |
|
By Culturekiosque Staff ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 5 MARCH 2008 - Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the fifth annual Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival will take place from 22 March to 2 April 2008. Bringing together artists from both Western and Eastern artistic traditions to the wealthy oil emirate, the Festival features music and ballet performances, educational programmes, an art exhibition and gala events. The festival, which is to take place at the Emirates Palace Auditorium, is being presented by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and produced by IMG artists. Although the fifth edition of the festival boasts leading international performing artists, the programming, notably those works chosen from the Western canon, is strictly conservative, almost dowdy. Perhaps for a future festival, the Emir might consider extending an invitation to the Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and its charismatic conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Not only can these gifted young musicians defend the Austro-German and Russian repertoire with considerably more passion and enthusiasm than their older European colleagues, but they travel with the music of Latin America whose origins are partially rooted in Spain, West Africa and the impact of medieval Islamic culture on the Iberian peninsula . Performances of this year's festival include an opera gala featuring soprano Anna Netrebko, mezzo-soprano Elina Garança and bass-baritone Erwin Schrott; The London Philharmonic Orchestra will perform under its principal conductor Vladimir Jurowski, with violinist Nikolaj Znaider and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet; the Bolshoi Ballet and Orchestra will give two performances of their production of Swan Lake; violinist Sarah Chang performs Vivaldi's Four Seasons ; Lebanese composer and soprano Hiba Al Kawas premiering her original compositions with guitarist José Maria Gallardo del Rey in a cross cultural collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra; the Iraqi Oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma will premiere eight of his new compositions with the specially formed 60-piece Oriental Orchestra. An exhibition of work by Tunisian contemporary artist Nja Mahdaoui will run throughout the festival in the Emirates Palace. In a press statement, the organizers said that an iconic arts festival is a critical element in building Abu Dhabi's cultural reputation in conjunction with its long-term infrastructure planning for Al Saadiyat Island, which includes future Louvre and Guggenheim museums and a performing arts centre designed by Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.
Abu Dhabi Music &
Arts Festival
Editor's Travel Calendar Tips: Abu
Dhabi
Saechsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Saxony's state
orchestra):
Abu Dhabi
International Book Fair
St. Petersburg, Russia
Dearborn, Michigan, USA Related Culturekiosque Archives Spirit and Life: Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection Belly's Ache: Palestinian Rapper's Video 'History of Violence Takes on Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina Spanish Baroque Music: An Interview With Eduardo Lopez Banzo Venice and the Islamic World, 828-1797 Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum Domestic Cultures in the Arab World : Living Under the Crescent Moon Movie Review: The War Within: Terrorism Through a Muslim's Eyes Zero Degrees: Double Triumph for Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui Zebda: the Sound of the New France Days of Glory: Valor, Racism and the Ingratitude of the French Republic |
|
|
[ Feedback | Home ] If you value this page, please send it to a friend. Copyright © 2005 Euromedia Group, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. |
Headline Feed
Email to a friend