Abu Dhabi Classics invites UAE music lovers and visiting tourists to beautiful indoor and outdoor venues such as the Emirates Palace and the Al Jahili Fort of Al Ain amongst others, where historic concert debuts will feature top international stars performing in the Arab world for the first time.
On Friday 24th October the season will begin with the Opening Gala, 'Journey of Emotions', hosted by the famed Oscar-winning British actor Jeremy Irons. Irons will take guests on an unforgettable musical journey of passion, excitement and glamour, featuring some of the world's greatest musical artists from classical, gypsy, jazz and flamenco backgrounds. Beginning in India, the birthplace of Abu Dhabi Classics conductor-in residence Zubin Mehta and ending in Southern Spain with the Flamenco Group Arcangel, the journey will also include exhilarating performances by Hungarian Violinist Roby Lakatos, Egypt's Musicians of the Nile, German jazz trumpeter Till Brönner, Russian classical pianist Arcadi Volodos and American soprano Indra Thomas.
The following evening, musical history will be written when the Bayreuth Festival performs the 'Wagner Gala' in the Middle East for the first time. Led by the world's leading Wagner-conductor Christian Thielemann, the orchestra will offer a concert of excerpts from Richard Wagner's Ring, musical history's most exclusive drama about greed, power and heroes in an unparalleled exclusive musical encounter. In Europe, with a waiting time of seven to ten years for tickets, the Bayreuth Festival is a not to be missed event, and will provide a fantastic end to the opening weekend of Abu Dhabi Classics.
In partnership with some of the world's most distinguished music institutions, Abu Dhabi Classics is also initiating a number of innovative education programs, developed through close co-operation with schools, universities and other institutions that will take place under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Classics Academy. The Academy, representing an entire world surrounding the concerts, will build bridges between artists and audiences, between generations and between cultures.
Till Janczukowicz, Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Classics, said:
'It is truly an honour to play a role in bringing together such renowned classical artists in a city that is striving for cultural excellence. The Abu Dhabi Classics season, as well as providing extensive musical insight and pleasure, has a strong educational aspect to it, aiming to unite people by their love of music.'
Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority
for Culture and Heritage highlighted the significant importance of the Abu
Dhabi Classics. He said:
'In addition to the musical knowledge which the festival audience will acquire through academic lectures and specialized workshops in institutes and universities, Abu Dhabi Classics will mainly aim to consolidate knowledge, practical and theoretical cultural music in schools throughout various stages and age groups in accordance with an accredited educational program.'