ABU DHABI // UAE-based musicians may have an opportunity to play in one of New York's most famous concert venues, courtesy of an agreement signed with one of the capital's art institutions.
Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Carnegie Hall have agreed to develop educational programmes and enter possible joint activities in which Arabic musicians would travel to America and vice versa.
The agreement was signed last week between Mrs Hoda Kanoo, founder of ADMAF and artistic director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, and Sir Clive Gillinson, executive and artistic director of Carnegie Hall.
The deal was reached when Sir Clive visited the capital to take in the first Middle East performance of the World Orchestra for Peace.
"This signifies the beginning of a symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship, which I am confident will advance the vision of ADMAF, which seeks to nurture the arts, education, culture and creativity for the benefit of society and the advancement of Abu Dhabi's cultural vision," said Mrs Kanoo.
Sir Clive said the agreement also fitted in with the mission of Carnegie Hall, another non-profit organisation.
"Carnegie Hall's vision aims to bring the transformative power of music to the widest possible audience, to provide visionary education programmes, and to foster the future of music through the cultivation of new works, artists and audiences," he said.
"Our mission is directly aligned with ADMAF, making it a perfect partnership of unlimited possibilities with the potential to introduce a broader audience to the power of music."
Carnegie Hall boasts a long history and is one of the most prestigious concert venues in the US. Through an in-house artistic programming department, on three stages, it hosts about 250 performances each year.
The main recital hall, which seats almost 3,000 people, was home to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1892 until 1962. The second hall seats 599 and was refurbished and renamed as the Zankel Hall in 2003.
The Weill Recital Hall is named after Sanford Weill, the current chairman of Carnegie Hall's board.
In addition to 268 seats, it hosts the Weill Music Institute, which develops and implements Carnegie Hall's music education programmes and educational initiatives.
The two parties will work to put together a schedule of events, performances and concerts that will be announced later.
