Abu Dhabi Classics is back with a new season, kicking off on October 12 with violin virtuoso Renaud Capucon, and running until April 2019, with a season-closing recital by Chinese pianist Ran Jia. Audiences will also be treated to the first ever international production of The Valkyrie, inspired by the works of Richard Wagner, and produced under the artistic direction of Wagner’s great granddaughter. Here’s a complete guide to the 2018-2019 season of events.
October 12 – Camerata Salzburg with Renaud Capucon (Dh50-Dh395)
Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, doors open at 7pm
Austrian chamber orchestra Camerata Salzburg are joined by the French classical violinist Renaud Capucon at the season opener. They will put on Mozart and Satie Violin Concertos at the Emirates Palace. The evening will be rounded off with pieces from the French minimalist composer and pianist Erik Satie, who was an eccentric figure of the 19th and 20th centuries. His work influenced genres such as jazz, as well as artistic movements such as minimalism, surrealism and repetitive music.
November 9 – La Scala Academy Rising Stars (Dh50-Dh395)
Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, doors open at 7pm
La Scala Academy Ballet Stars will put on three performances, starting with Suite from Bayadere, going into Gymnopedie and ending with Napoli. The Academia Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy, is a leading institution for training performing artists. La Scala Academy students feature in concerts, special shows, exhibitions and opera productions globally.
December 6 - 7 – Xavier de Maistre Harp Recitals (Dh50-Dh250)
December 6: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi; Doors open at 7pm
December 7: Bin Hamoodah Fort, Al Ain; Doors open at 7pm
As part of his first performance in the UAE, French harpist Xavier de Maistre will perform two sets in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The first, on December 6 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, is titled Spanish Nights with works from Albeniz, Granados and de Falla. The second, taking place the following night at Bin Hamoodah Fort, is dubbed Heart of the Oasis, with works from Debussy, Faure and more.
January 30 – February 1 – Bayreuth Festival: The Valkyrie (Dh200-Dh1195)
Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, doors open at 6pm
The Bayreuth Festival in Germany, which puts on performances of the iconic 19th century German composer Richard Wagner, will debut its first international production of The Valkyrie in Abu Dhabi.
The musical drama will be produced under the artistic direction of Katharina Wagner, Wagner’s great granddaughter. A feature film will also play in the background, telling the tale of the Valkyrie and shining a light on locations that inspired Wagner’s popular body of work.
Wagner’s compositions include The Ring of the Nibelung and Tristan und Isolde.
April 19 – Ran Jia – Solo Piano Recital (Dh50-Dh250)
Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, doors open at 7pm
Wrapping up the Abu Dhabi Classics 2018-2019 season is a recital by the young Chinese pianist Ran Jia.
Jia is noted for her interpretations of Austrian composer Franz Schubert’s works. She will perform Schubert Sonata in D major D850, Daqun Jia Three Preludes for Solo Piano and Schubert Sonata in B flat major 960.
Jia, who began piano lessons at the age of three, made her debut in 2005 in New York.
