Focus on fusions at season five of Dubai’s Emirates NBD Classics concert series

Shujaat Husssain Khan. Courtesy of Ductac

Fans of international sounds will be delighted by the programme of world music talents visiting Dubai as part of Emirates NBD Classics. Six concerts are on offer (with one already held) as part of the fifth season, which features a “classical fusion” theme showcasing sounds from across the globe.

Hosted at Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (Ductac), the programme’s next instalment is on April 8 – a performance by Hindustani classical vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan, the great-grandson of the legendary Ustad Inayat Hussain Khan Saheb. He will perform in Dubai alongside Murad Ali, Ajay Joglekar, Shubankar Banargee and Krishna Bongane.

Crossover oud star Hani Naser will lead the concert A Rhythmical Journey on May 20. The Jordanian virtuoso has recorded with numerous western pop acts including Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Carlos Santana.

After a break for summer, the series hosts a western classical programme from violinist Benjamin Schmid and pianist Ariane Hearing on September 9.

October 14 will see another visit from George Brooks, with the American saxophonist this time performing in a “global chamber” trio alongside north Indian violinist and vocalist Kala Ramnath and Dutch harp virtuoso Gwyneth Wentink. Titled Elements, the ensemble will present original material and “contemporary settings of traditional Indian ragas, unifying the aesthetics of the European classical, Indian classical and American jazz traditions”.

The best may be saved for last. November 11 brings a performance by Bikram Ghosh – a living tabla legend who has worked with Indian classical stars including Ravi Shankar, Aki Akbar Khan, V M Bhatt and Tatun Bhattacharya – performing a mix of Sufi and fusion.

Emirates NBD Classics joins a large range of events catering to classical and world music.

Tonight will find the Emirati oud virtuoso Faisal Al Saari and French composer Bruno Mantovani team up with Germany’s Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra for world-­premiere performances of pieces inspired by Louvre Abu Dhabi near the site of the upcoming museum on Saadiyat Island.

The orchestra will also return to perform in Al Ain on March 24 and 26 as part of Abu Dhabi Classics concert series, which runs until May 10.

Abu Dhabi Festival will also return with packed schedule of classical music and theatre performances throughout April at Emirates Palace: star Chinese pianist Lang Lang will take the stage on April 14, while Orchestre de Paris play the following day and on April 17. Veteran Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta will light up the boards on April 26.

• Emirates NBD Classics performances are hosted at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates and start at 8pm (doors open 7.15pm). Tickets are Dh150, visit www.enbdclassics.com. For details on Abu Dhabi Classic; visit www.abudhabiclassics.ae, while Abu Dhabi Festival information can be found at www.abudhabifestival.ae