ABU DHABI // A series of classical concerts and performances by some of the world’s leading musicians and orchestras will begin next month.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority has announced an eight-month series of 26 events around the capital, in the Liwa desert and in Al Ain.
The Abu Dhabi Classics season will run until May next year. It includes performances by well-known names in western and eastern classical music under the theme Music and Poetry, exploring how the genres blend.
At the season opener on October 7, the Symphony Orchestra of India performs in Abu Dhabi and the next day in Al Ain and will include a classical repertoire inspired by Indian culture.
The TCA Abu Dhabi’s music programme also includes the Emirati Music Series, Bait Al Oud Concert Series, the World Intangible Heritage through Music series and Umsiyat events in Mushrif Park.
In May next year, China’s Philharmonic Orchestra, with its conductor, Long Yu, will perform for the first time in the region with two concerts, in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, dedicated to Mahler and Tchaikovsky.
“We want our youth to feel inspired by what they hear and see and encourage them to bring music into their lives, whether that is learning a traditional Emirati instrument such as the rebabah, a classical instrument like the violin, creating their own music, or simply taking an active interest in the lives of the great musicians,” said Mohammed Khalifa Ahmed Al Mubarak, TCA’s chairman.
Among other highlights will be Jordi Savall’s show Ibn Battuta Traveller of Islam, in Mushrif Park, Abu Dhabi, and in Liwa Oasis in November.
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will return to perform Beethoven’s 7th Symphony at Emirates Palace and also present a film music night dedicated to character James Bond at Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain.
Performances by Argentinian-Swiss pianist Martha Argerich, violin virtuoso Gidon Kremer and his Baltic string ensemble Kremerata Baltica are also planned.
The poets Adonis, from Syria, and Gulzar, from India, as well as Iraqi oud master Naseer Shamma will also perform.
For the event calendar, visit abudhabiclassics.ae.
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