As the Abu Dhabi Festival’s musical programme wraps up today, we take a look at seven highlights from this year’s concert offerings:
Miloš is looking for an assistant
The celebrated Montenegrin guitar player apologised for the time spent tuning his instrument. “The problem is I travel only with one guitar,” he explained. “I am a travelling musician so it is difficult to carry two guitars with me all the time. This is why I have a sign-up sheet in the back if anyone wants to travel with me and be my assistant.”
Send the plane: Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela
Ever wonder about the logistics of bringing a 100-plus piece orchestra into the capital for one performance? The answer is often the simplest: the celebrated young ensemble flew to the UAE from South America via a chartered plane. Considering the flight time, the youngsters had plenty of time to go over their repertoire.
Hamdan Al Abri wows the crowd
An accomplished singer not only has to hold a tune, but also to "bring it" when it counts. The Emirati soul singer Hamdan Al Abri did just that with his guest performance as part of Herbie Hancock's show. Aided by the jazz man and his cracking band, Al Abri was all passion in his rendering of Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come.
Asil Ensemble keeps it 20th century
The young Beirut-based group transported us back to a time when classical Arabic music reigned supreme in the region. Led by the Egyptian singer and oud player Mustafa Said, the 12-piece group’s intimate performance revealed the poetic and musical depths of the neglected genre.
The people’s soprano: Renée Fleming
The American soprano was in fine form in her Middle Eastern debut. As well as her accessible repertoire, Fleming's easy-going banter and down-to-earth demeanour demonstrated that opera is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. Her best quip came when she was introducing the plot line to the famous French opera Manon, a love story Fleming wryly described as a romance that "would have ended up better if they came to Abu Dhabi rather than Paris".
Sara Al Qaiwani teams up with Fleming
Sara Al Qaiwani teamed up with Renée Fleming for an encore duet of Sull'aria, from The Marriage of Figaro. For the Emirati soprano, it was a dream come true shared with a rapturous crowd.
Only the best for Herbie
Herbie Hancock is an easy-going cat, but the jazz legend is particular about the gear he performs with. Festival organisers flew in a specifically chosen grand piano for his Abu Dhabi performance.
