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The Emirates Palace Auditorium was the scene of a number of musical ‘firsts’ during last night’s glittering Festival Gala which celebrated a triumphant end to the landmark 10th edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival.
In fitting recognition of the exultant culmination of the 2013 Festival, Abu Dhabi audiences were the first in the world to experience the melodic notes of the stirring symphonic work ‘Poème Orientale,’ by Lebanese composer Bechara El-Khoury, commissioned by the Festival to celebrate its ‘Decade of Distinction.’
Following the ground-breaking premiere, beloved Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel performed for the first time in the Arab world, demonstrating his remarkable vocal agility and range of musical material from beloved arias such as Donizetti’s ‘Udite, udite, o rustici’ from L’Elisir d’amore to traditional Welsh song such as Suo Gan. Terfel brought the elated audience, including a strong Welsh expat contingent, to their feet. Accompanied by the soaring voice of Russia’s acclaimed Mariinsky Opera leading soprano, Victoria Yastrebova, Terfel truly brought the curtain down on the Festival in an unforgettable evening.
Her Excellency Mrs Hoda I. Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, spoke after the performances: “Tonight’s double bill represented our most profound thanks to Abu Dhabi audiences for their passionate support of the Festival for the past ten incredible years. We are thrilled with the reception from the Abu Dhabi Festival audience tonight and indeed throughout the duration of the entire Festival and we look forward to presenting the best artists from the Arab world and beyond, whether in music, opera, dance, or visual arts for many more years to come. With audience numbers growing year on year, and Abu Dhabi increasingly taking a more visible role in the international arts scene, there is no doubt that community members and our esteemed leadership alike in the UAE are wholly devoted to preserving and promoting the arts.”
‘Poème Orientale’ was performed by one of the world’s top orchestras, the Czech Philharmonic, conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek. Bechara El-Khoury’s works have been performed in the world’s most prominent venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Barbican and the Cairo Opera House, since his rise to fame with his 1985 symphony ’The Ruins of Beirut’.
Bryn Terfel and Victoria Yastrebova glided elegantly through a stirring presentation of popular arias. Terfel is globally recognized as a leading interpreter of Wagner, and his incredibly diverse range as a concert performer has taken him around the world, from the Welsh National Opera to the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and The Met. His dazzling discography encompasses operas by Mozart, Wagner and Strauss, and he also boasts more than ten solo recordings.
The Abu Dhabi Festival is a yearly celebration of the best in international and regional opera, music, dance and visual arts. This year’s edition runs until March 31 and has seen performances by some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Chinese piano sensation YUNDI and Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil.
For further information and details of the Abu Dhabi Festival, ‘like’ us on Facebook and ‘follow’ us on Twitter, or visit www.abudhabifestival.ae
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