April Line-Up Blends The Classical With The Unconventional For An Unforgettable Concert Experience
As the thermometer slowly rises, Abu Dhabi Classics continues to turn up the heat on its hugely successful 2008 - 2009 series of concert events with a musical melting pot in April, showcasing virtuoso talent from three continents.
Both Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will once again have the pleasure of hosting several unique performances courtesy of an eclectic concert repertoire that celebrates both the conventional and the unconventional, from symphonic masterpieces to interactive world music.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, April’s showcase begins with an evening of symphonic excellence at the Emirates Palace on Monday, 6th April*
at 8pm, entitled Russian Landscapes, and heralds the return of legendary Indian conductor Zubin Mehta to the Abu Dhabi stage. This follows his March debut in the capital, where he conducted the Vienna Philharmonic supported by brilliant young Chinese pianist Lang Lang in front of a sellout crowd.
Conductor-in-residence of the first season of Abu Dhabi Classics, Mehta will be joined by Florence, Italy’s celebrated Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino under the glittering canopy of the Emirates Palace Auditorium which will resound to the deeply emotive movements of Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony No. 6 – the composer’s last and personal favourite œuvre – of which he reportedly said: “I love it as I have never before loved one of my musical offspring,” as well as the evocatively interpretative Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky.
The musical action swaps venues the following evening, Tuesday, 7th April*, with Al Ain’s historic Al Jahili Fort, the setting for an entrancing performance of Gustav Mahler’s colossal second symphony, popularly known as the Resurrection Symphony, playing out under the garden city’s night skies. Led by the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, one of Europe’s oldest and most respected orchestras, which has seen a long list of prominent conductors all taking their turn at its helm, from Sir George Solti to Igor Stravinsky and Otto Klemperer, Zubin Mehta will once again exert the mastery of his baton from the podium. Complementing this talented musical ensemble, is the impressive all-female duo comprising Japanese soprano songbird Akiko Nakajima, and the dramatic Slovenian mezzo-soprano, Marjana Lipovšek.
The tail end of April segues effortlessly into May with a trio of performances by one of the 20th century’s most diverse musical exponents, ten-time Grammy Award-winner Bobby McFerrin.
This innovative vocalist, perhaps best known to millions across the world for his number one hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”, will host three concerts in the emirate this season. On Thursday, 30th April, Bobby meets Al Ain at 8pm at the Municipality Theatre, followed by two consecutive appearances on Saturday, 2nd May and Sunday, 3rd May in the capital, as Bobby meets Abu Dhabi at the Emirates Palace Auditorium.
“Bobby McFerrin is a great musician and a true star that is always open to new experiences. He was enormously curious and was very enthusiastic when I invited him to be part of the Abu Dhabi Classics. Mr. McFerrin has dealt with musicians from all over the world and is the ideal musical figure when it comes to building bridges between cultures. We are excited and looking forward to new artistic encounters in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.” said Till Janczukowicz, Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Classics.
McFerrin has been described as a universal genius, vocal artist, conductor, straddler of musical worlds and styles; but he truly has to be seen and heard in person, to be recognised as one of modern day music’s most exciting live performers. His unique style draws the audience in as the inimitable McFerrin uses his voice to simulate instruments and galvanizes the audience with irresistible rhythms, a host of surprise guests, local singers, dancers and instrumentalists, as well as willing audience members.
Commenting on his Abu Dhabi Classics debut, McFerrin says: “I come to Abu Dhabi, not as an artist with a ready-made programme, but also in order to learn – from local artists, from local music, from the traditions.” Music aficionados across the UAE will be captivated by his interactive performance style for an especially memorable cross-cultural experience.
Tickets for the April concert programme are available at www.abudhabi-classics.com, www.timeouttickets.com, at Virgin Megastores or by calling the toll free number 800-4669.
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