UAE | Heritage and Culture

Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival

The fifth Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival will take place in the UAE capital from March 22 to April 2, 2008, at the Emirates Palace.

  • Staff Report
  • Published: 00:48 March 13, 2008
  • Tabloid

  • Image Credit: Supplied Photos
  • An evening of ballet by the Bolshoi is sure to keep the audience entertained.
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The festival is being held in association with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), and this year's festival will feature an impressive line-up of world-class stars.

Collaboration

Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) recently signed an agreement with IMG Artists, the world's leading Performance Arts Management Company, to collaborate on bringing the renowned stars to the UAE. The partnership has attracted artists from as far as the US, UK, Germany, France and Italy.

Twelve events by Western and Eastern artists will be brought together in a celebration of concerts, collaborative works and art symposiums.

Huda Ebrahim Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and the annual Festival, and a Board of Director at Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage Authority, said: "I truly believe that culture benefits society in more ways than we are aware. I have always envisioned Abu Dhabi as a Middle East centre for worldwide culture."

As a part of its educational mission, the festival will host a symposium of 20 lectures, demonstrations, workshops and awards, including artist dialogues with local students and the public.

Line-up

This year's festival will host Western concert stage icons, along with contemporary Arab artists. On the opening evening, March 22, there will be a spectacular performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by principal conductor Vladimir Jurowski and featuring violinist Nicolaj Znaider. On March 23, the London Philharmonic Orchestra will accompany pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. The following day, the Festival will host singers Khaled Selim and Asmma Almonaoar, accompanied by conductor Saeed Kamal.

The first-class Bolshoi Ballet and Orchestra, conducted by Pavel Sorokin, will perform Swan Lake on March 26 and March 27. An opera gala will take place on March 29, featuring the world famous soprano Anna Netrebko, mezzo soprano Elina Garança and bass baritone Erwin Schrott. The gala will also include the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra conducted by Alexander Vedernikov.

Finale

Further performances will include acts by violinist Sarah Chang along with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra conducted by Karel Mark Chichon on March 31, and oud player Naseer Shamma with a 60 piece Oriental Orchestra on April 1. The exciting festival programme will end with a finale by soprano and composer Hiba Al Kawas, guitarist José Maria Gallardo del Rey and Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra conducted by Wojciech Czepiel on April 2.

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