UAE | Heritage and Culture

Abu Dhabi Musical and Arts Festival kicks on Saturday

The Fifth Abu Dhabi Musical and Arts Festival kicks off on Saturday night with the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing at Emirates Palace.

  • By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
  • Published: 21:09 March 21, 2008
  • Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: The Fifth Abu Dhabi Musical and Arts Festival kicks off on Saturday night with the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing at Emirates Palace.

The festival has brought big names from the art and music worlds for the first time to the capital, Hoda Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), told Gulf News in exclusive interview.

"Organising the festival this year was a big challenge for me. In five years the festival has developed a reputation and the world's biggest performers are coming to Abu Dhabi," she said.

"What is special this year is the quality of the event. We have three world premiere performances, this means they will perform for the first time and have prepared specially for the festival," Hoda said.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra, which will perform on Sunday also, is coming to the Arab world for the first time. While Arabian singers Khalid Selim and Asma Al Monaoar are performing Arabic Classical favourites with orchestra conducted by Saeed Kamal. Naseer Shamma, the Oud player, with oriental orchestra is performing "the soul of Orient" night. "He has been working on this project for more than ten years," said Hoda.

Another world premiere is the concert of singer Hiba Al Kawas with Jose Maria Gallardo del Rey [Guitar. All concerts start at 8pm.

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