Classical music concerts are back in Abu Dhabi.
As part of the Abu Dhabi Music Programme, the UAE capital will host eclectic shows, including the return of the Abu Dhabi Classics concert series.
Launched by Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi some of the acts coming include Emirati singer Ahmed Al Hosani and Italy’s La Scala Academy Orchestra.
Here are the first round of shows announced, with all concerts taking place at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation as part of the Abu Dhabi Classics series, unless stated otherwise.
1. Monday, October 18: Rolando Villazon and Xavier de Maistre (Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, 8pm)
Beginning Abu Dhabi Classics is Mexican tenor Rolando Villazon, accompanied by French harpist Xavier De Maistre.
Cultural exchange forms the heart of the duo's repertoire, with works encompassing Latin America and Europe.
The programme includes works by composers Silvio Rodriguez and Ruben Fuentes as well as traditional dance pieces from Mexico and Spain.
Tickets begin from Dh50 from www.abudhabimusic.ae
2. Friday, October 22: Ahmed Al Hosani and the NSO Chamber Orchestra (Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, 8pm)
As part of Abu Dhabi Music Programme's Sounds of UAE stream, Al Hosani will team up with the UAE's NSO Chamber Orchestra for an eclectic programme of classic Arab and western compositions.
The baritone singer will perform works by Claude Francois and Jacques Revaux as well Lebanese singer Melhem Barakat.
Meanwhile the orchestra will be showcased through instrumental pieces by Mozart and Iraqi oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma.
Tickets begin from Dh50 from www.abudhabimusic.ae
3. Wednesday, October 27: Wiener Concert-Verein featuring Vadim Repin (Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, 8pm)
The prestigious orchestra of the Vienna Music Academy will be joined by Russian-Belgian violin star Vadim Repin to perform the works of Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Saint-Saens.
Look out for the finale of Serenade by Czech maestro Dvorak, a piece summing up the reflective nature of the evening's programme.
Tickets begin from Dh50 from www.abudhabimusic.ae
4. Thursday, October 28: Wiener Concert-Verein featuring Dmitry Shishkin (Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, 8pm)
The Austrian ensemble returns with a concert focusing on the Viennese classical period of the 18th century as well as select 19th-century pieces.
Joined by Russian pianist Dmitry Shishkin, the night will feature Chopin's Piano Concert N1 and Grieg’s Holberg Suite.
Tickets begin from Dh50 from www.abudhabimusic.ae
5. Thursday November 25: La Scala Academy Orchestra - Gala evening with Italian arias and Tchaikovsky (Etihad Arena, 8pm)
What better way to celebrate the power of Italian opera than an arena performance by La Scala Academy Orchestra, the in-house ensemble of Milan's famous Scala Theatre.
Supported by the opera company's singers, the night will feature masterpieces by Verdi (La Forza del Destino and Pace, pace mio Dio) as well orchestral performances of Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony.
Tickets prices will be announced and made available soon.
More information is available at www.abudhabimusic.ae
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
RESULTS
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Hugo Lebouc (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Karaginsky, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Sadeedd, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
3pm Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Blue Sovereign, Clement Lecoeuvre, Erwan Charpy.
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Bladesmith, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
Results:
5pm: Baynunah Conditions (UAE bred) Dh80,000 1,400m.
Winner: Al Tiryaq, Dane O’Neill (jockey), Abdullah Al Hammadi (trainer).
5.30pm: Al Zahra Handicap (rated 0-45) Dh 80,000 1,400m:
Winner: Fahadd, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
6pm: Al Ras Al Akhdar Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m.
Winner: Jaahiz, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Al Reem Island Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m.
Winner: AF Al Jahed, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
7pm: Al Khubairah Handicap (TB) 100,000 2,200m.
Winner: Empoli, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh80,000 2,200m.
Winner: Shivan OA, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
EXPATS
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UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
