BBC’s Blue Planet in Concert to celebrate arrival of Volvo Ocean Race in Abu Dhabi

The show, which has thrilled sell-out audiences around the world, combines spectacular high-definition footage from award winning BBC TV documentary series The Blue Planet with an emotional and evocative live orchestral score. Michael Owen / BBCShow less

The regional premiere of BBC Worldwide's critically acclaimed Blue Planet in Concert will launch the three-week Abu Dhabi stopover of the 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race on December 12.

The show, which has thrilled sell-out audiences around the world, combines spectacular high-definition footage from the award-winning BBC TV documentary series The Blue Planet with an emotional and evocative live orchestral score.

The two 90-minute evening performances, on December 12 and 13, will be shown on a 10-metre-wide screen on a purpose-built, floating stage in the waters off Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, accompanied by a 78-piece orchestra led by a celebrity guest conductor.

"The skyline of Abu Dhabi and the surrounding marine environment will provide a superb and appropriate backdrop to the spectacular scenes featured in Blue Planet in Concert," said Mat Way, the commercial Director of Live Events at BBC Worldwide.

“We hope that the proven mix of breathtaking footage combined with beautiful and evocative live orchestral music will help to set the tone for the stopover celebrations to follow.”

Hosted by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, the Volvo Ocean Race stopover festival will take place in a 30,000 sq m, purpose-built Destination Village on the Corniche Breakwater.

It will be packed with educational and entertainment attractions highlighting the capital’s relationship with the sea and maritime heritage. Special events will include dhow racing, pearl-diving showcases, traditional sea-shanty performances, ocean-conservation exhibitions and activities such as beach clean-ups and turtle-conservation talks.

“The stopover is a tremendous international showcase that propels our winter watersports credentials and marine heritage to the fore among the global sailing community,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, the acting executive director of tourism with TCA Abu Dhabi. “This is when four centuries of maritime heritage will connect with today’s greatest ocean adventure in the world’s most exciting destination.”

Up to 200,000 people are expected to visit the Destination Village between December 12 and January 3.