Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation presents only musical performance as the highlight event of the 2009 French Season
Yesterday evening, a packed audience of music lovers at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace was treated to a truly accomplished performance by the French opera legend, Roberto Alagna. The concert, presented by The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), is the only musical performance of the French Season 2009, a month-long programme of arts, fashion and business events in the UAE capital. Attending the concert were many of the UAE’s French residents but also a diverse crowd of U.A.E. residents and nationals along with VIP guests including H.E. Alain Azouaou, French Ambassador to the U.A.E. and other Ambassadors.
The brilliant tenor was accompanied by one of the region’s pre-eminent orchestras, the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by renowned Italian maestro, Giorgio Croci. For a number of duets he was joined on stage by celebrated French soprano, Nathalie Manfrino, who also performed a number of solo arias. Alagna is well known for his intensely passionate and emotional performances and last night did not disappoint with a luminous set of arias with French librettos.
The evening began with Alagna singing Vainement Pharaon from Etienne Mehul’s biblical epic, Joseph. The orchestra then played the overture from Christoph Gluck’s Orphee et Eurydice, the composer’s most popular opera based on the myth of Orpheus. This heralded three arias from the opera – Alagna performing Viens suis un epoux, a special arrangement from his brother –composer David Alagna, Fortune ennemie by Ms Manfrino and then a duet, J’ai perdu mon Eurydice, also arranged by David Alagna. The first half concluded with three pieces from Jules Massenet’s Egyptian tale, Thais – the orchestral Overture, Ms Manfrino performing Dis-moi que je suis belle and Alagna singing Oh messager de Dieu.
The second half primarily consisted of works by French composer, Charles Gounod, with the orchestra beginning with the Waltzer from his most popular work, Faust. Three arias from Gounod’s romantic and highly melodious opera, Romeo et Juliette, followed with Alagna as Romeo singing Ange Adorable, Ms Manfrino as Juliette enchanting as she performed Air de Juliette, and then they came together as the ill-fated lovers to perform a duet of Ah! Leve-toi soleil. The Syrian National Symphony Orchestra played Entr’acte (III Act) from the ever-loved Carmen by George Bizet before we returned to Romeo et Juliette for the final aria. The audience was delighted by hugely popular duet Vas je t’ai pardonne.
Following a unanimous standing ovation, the delighted audience were still eager for more. Roberto returned to the stage to for a stunning performance of “A travers le desert” from Marouf Savetier du Caire, followed by Nathalie Manfrino who captivated with Faust’s “Oh Dieux que de bijoux…” Both then joined together for the final two encores of the night - La Pericholes’ “Vous a-t-on dit souvent?” and “Andalouse” by David Alagna - leaving the audience in full of awe and appreciation of these two astonishing singers.
Hoda I. Al Khamis Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), said:
"I was thrilled to be able to witness the Abu Dhabi debut of the French lyrical tenor Roberto Alagna. We, at ADMAF, are very proud to have been able to bring this star of world opera to the capital as part of the French Season 2009. This event is the result of a fruitful collaboration between ADMAF and the French Embassy with whom we worked closely in establishing this cultural-bridging program aiming to promote the unique role of music and arts in cultural understanding.”
The French Season runs from 4th May to 4th June 2009 and is organized by the French Embassy in UAE and the French Business Group, Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation is a premium sponsor of the French Season together with Al Masaood Automobiles and Caisse des Depots.
The performers
Born of Sicilian parents who had settled in the Paris suburbs, Roberto Alagna had an exceptional start to his illustrious career after winning the finale of the Pavorotti competition in Philadelphia in 1988 at just 24 years old. Since then his luminous and radiant voice has lead him to perform a stunning variety of lead roles including Alfredo in La Traviata, The Duke of Mantoue in Rigoletto and Rodolfo in La Boheme. In 1994 he performed the role of Romeo in Gounod (Romeo and Juliet), and astounded audiences with his French singing full of nobility and poetry. Critics were unanimous and the following year he was awarded with the Laurence Olivier Prize for outstanding achievement in Opera - the highest British theatrical distinction.
Soprano Nathalie Manfrino completed her studies at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris and made her operatic debut in 2001 playing the role of Melisande in Pelleas et Melisande. Throughout her career she has performed on some of the world’s most renowned stages, and in 2006 was awarded with the most prestigious French Award for musical achievements, the “Revelation of the Year” at the French “Victoires de la Musique” ceremony.
Celebrated Italian Maestro Giorgio Croci had his successful debut in Germany in 1982 and has since conducted orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, the Unites States and the Middle East. His impressive career has seen him in the position of Principal and Artistic Director at the Philharmonic Orchestra in Verona and as the key supporter and lead tour member of the Young Orchestra of Verona. He has also taken part in a range of prestigious Festivals including the Shakespeare Festival in Verona, Italy and the Tokyo and Nagoya Festivals in Japan.
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