The annual music and art festival returns to the capital to celebrate local, regional and international culture
Abu Dhabi Festival has been going strong for 11 years. The driving force behind the festival is Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, which has been seeking to inspire residents by presenting local, regional and international artists in the capital.
The event is considered a festival of firsts as guests are privileged to hear and watch specially commissioned pieces of work and world and Arab premieres.
The festival has grown year on year with the likes of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, opera group Il Divo and American jazz legend Quincy Jones all taking part. The 2015 edition promises to be just as exciting with a line-up of classical and contemporary performances.
Main programme
Kicking off the series on 3rd March is South Korean pianist Ah Ruem Ahn as part of the Festival Recital Series. Following her 2013 debut in Carnegie Hall, a music hall in New York, the 30-year-old’s career has blossomed to include tours around Spain and South America and performances with the Spanish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra. As part of the festival’s main programme, Ah will give a recital at Emirates Palace. AED 100. 8pm-10pm.
If you think Shakespearean plays are overly dramatic and convoluted, think again. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre brings the Bard’s play Othello into the 21st century in Othello: The Remix on 5th March. The classic Shakespearean play – which revolves around themes of love, betrayal, racism, jealousy and revenge – receives a hip-hop overhaul. MC Othello leaves his ghetto days behind him in an attempt to win over a beautiful singer, Desdemona, but is distracted by hip-hop purist Iago who has a sinister plan for the MC.
If the success of the festival’s 2013 performance of Romeo & Juliet by London’s Shakespeare’s Globe is anything to go by, the Chicago troupe will be performing to a packed audience. AED 50. Abu Dhabi Theatre, 8pm-10pm.
The main programme continues with another young pianist on 13th March. Julien Libeer has been billed as one of the greatest musicians of the younger generation by international press. The chamber musician has performed as a guest in prestigious venues such as London’s King’s Place Concert Hall and the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris. The young musician will be performing at Emirates Palace. AED 100. 8pm-10pm.
Keeping with the theme of young talent, violinist Aisha Syed Castro – our cover star – plays on 17th March. The Latina musician made her debut with the Dominican Symphony Orchestra at just 11 years old. Aisha has since given various solo performances at international music festivals including the Fontainebleau Summer Music Festival and renowned venues such as New York’s Kaufman Hall. Aisha will be playing her 1690 Antonio Stradivari and Antonius Pelizon violins for her concert at Emirates Palace. AED 100. 8pm-10pm.
One name that even amateur concertgoers will recognise is Brazilian superstar Sérgio Mendes. On 20th March, the musician will bring his bossa nova blend of samba and jazz beats to Emirates Palace.
Since beginning his career playing in jazz clubs in the 1950s, the musician has collaborated with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Justin Timberlake, received three Grammy awards and written songs for hit films such as the 2011 animated comedy, Rio. We dare you not to clap along as Sérgio and his ten-piece band perform some of his greatest hits including ‘The Look of Love’ and ‘Mas Que Nada’. AED 125-AED 350. 8pm-10.30pm.
Abu Dhabi Festival isn’t just about music. On 21st March View from Inside Contemporary Arab Photography, Video and Mixed Media Art by FotoFest will be unveiled. The photo art and education organisation from Houston, Texas, is making its regional debut with this specially-curated exhibition that features Arab photojournalism and poetry. The exhibition continues until 20th April. Emirates Palace Gallery. Sun-Thu noon-8pm. Fri-Sat 10am-10pm. Contact: home.fotofest.org
If operas are your cup of tea, don’t miss A Night at the Opera: Juan Diego Florez and the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Gábor Takács-Nagy. Peruvian tenor Juan joins what’s billed as one of the best orchestras in the world with Hungarian conductor Gábor at the helm. Their 23rd March concert will include highlights from European opera including Rossini’s ‘Overture to La Cenerentola’ and ‘L’amour’ from Romeo e Guilietta. AED 125-AED 350. Emirates Palace. 8pm-10.30pm.
If Ah and Julien strike a chord, you’ll love Jan Lisiecki, the 19-year-old pianist renowned for his interpretation of Chopin’s Études, a trio of solo studies that is widely regarded as one of the most technical and challenging compositions. Jan’s 24th March recital will feature pieces from Bach, Mendelssohn and the Norweigan pianist Grieg. Emirates Palace. AED 150. 8pm-10pm.
Renowned conductor Riccardo Muti presents ‘Beethoven Violin Concerto’ on 25th March. The maestro will be conducting the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra – an ensemble of young instrumentalists that Riccardo founded in 2004 – as they journey through ‘Overture to William Tell’ and Schubert’s ‘Symphony No. 4’. The ensemble will be joined by German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter for her signature rendition of Beethoven’s ‘Violin Concerto’, a technical and emotional piece. AED 125-AED 350. Emirates Palace. 8pm-10pm.
The main programme continues with the celebrated Norweigan pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, who will be playing Beethoven’s ‘Piano Concerto No. 5’, Brahm’s ‘Hungarian Dances’ Nos 14, 7 and 6 and ‘Symphony No. 1’. Leif will be joined by the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Iván Fischer for the 26th March performance. AED 125-AED 350. Emirates Palace. 8pm-10.30pm.
On 28th and 30th March, Iván and his orchestra take the stage once again for Mozart’s The Magic Flute, an enchanting opera that follows Prince Tamino as he journeys through a mythical land between the sun and the moon, protected by a magic flute. The Choir of the Budapest Festival Orchestra will help bring the opera to life. AED 125-AED 350. Emirates Palace. 8pm-10.30pm.
Finally, American Lebanese singer Mayssa Karaa makes her international debut on 2nd April alongside special guests including UK singer-songwriter Marcus Nand. The multi-lingual Mayssa – who shot to fame with her Arabic rendition of ‘White Rabbit’ that was featured in the Oscar-nominated Hollywood film American Hustle – will perform songs and collaborations from her upcoming debut album. AED 125-AED 350. Emirates Palace. 8pm-10.30pm.
Culture in the community
Every year, Abu Dhabi Festival features an education and community programme.
Riwaq Al Fikr is a series of free festival debates that aims to promote dialogue among the public and cultural leaders.
On 8th March Media Panel: New Media, New Outlook will highlight the transformation of media in the Arab world. Emirates Palace. 5pm-9pm.
The ‘princess of oud’, Hend Zouari, will sing of joy and sorrow of Oriental women today. The band Diwan – which also features Gwen on the accordion, Amal on the violin, Malika on percussions and Meriem on the oud – will present an evening of original and traditional songs from East and West. AED 120, AED 100 for Alliance Française members.Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan, Airport Road. 8pm-9.30pm.
This year’s charity beneficiary is the United National High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Arts in Crisis panel discussion on 9th March will highlight displaced children’s access to art and how it impacts them. Can art initiatives alleviate trauma for underprivileged children? Can it have an impact on their rehabilitation or help alleviate poverty? Free. Zayed University. Noon-2.30pm.
Students from Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services will perform an adaptation of Mahmoud Diab’s novel Strangers Don’t Drink Coffee at Abu Dhabi Theatre on 11th March. Free. Breakwater, near Heritage Village. 10.30am-1pm.
Young musicians from all over the world will hit the capital for a free concert as part of the festival’s celebration of youth in music. The nationwide tour by the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Bielsko-Biala Music School and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Premiere Music College of Prague will stop off at Al Ain Municipality Theatre on 18th March and Abu Dhabi Theatre on 19th March. Both concerts start at 8pm.
Schools across the country are promoting STEM – science, technology, engineering and maths. But the STEAM: Igniting Innovation in the Next Generation panel will discuss the need to add arts into the mix and promote STEAM education. 21st March. New York University – Abu Dhabi. 7.30pm-9.30pm.
The Spencer-Strachan Duo engage with special needs students including members of the Zayed Higher Organisation Disability Orchestra until 9th March as part of the festival Education and Community Programme. The duo is part of the Live Music Now foundation, which is the UK’s leading musician development and outreach organisation.
The festival’s headline artists will also reach out to students in a series of mini-performances, demonstrations and master classes in schools and universities across the emirate.
Details
For ticket information visit the Abu Dhabi Festival website. Half-price student tickets are available for all performances except Othello: The Remix. For more information contact: 050 129 9103 www.abudhabifestival.ae
Rachael Peacock
