The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) today announced that the French opera legend Roberto Alagna, will be performing in the UAE for the first time, as part of the French Season 2009. Well known for his immensely passionate and emotional performances, Alagna is set to delight the Abu Dhabi audience as he takes to the stage to perform a luminous set of arias. The concert will be held in the Auditorium of the Emirates Palace on Monday 11 May and tickets are on sale now.

Roberto Alagna had an exceptional start to his illustrious and acclaimed career after winning the finale of the Pavorotti competition in Philadelphia in 1988. He was 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.

Alagna will be joined onstage by the accomplished French soprano Nathalie Manfrino. Nathalie 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.

Roberto Alagna and Nathalie Manfrino will be accompanied by the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra and conducted by the celebrated Italian Maestro Giorgio Croci, also performing in the capital for the first time. Following his successful debut in Germany in 1982, Maestro Croci has 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.

ADMAF is presenting Roberto Alagna in concert as part of the French Season (or Saison Francaise). The month-long French Season will feature a variety of interactive events including an haute couture fashion show, painting and photography exhibitions and business seminars focused on international finance, aviation, space research and maritime security. The Roberto Alagna performance will be the only musical concert of the festival and the highlight of the French Season.

Hoda I. Al Khamis Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), said:”ADMAF is delighted to bring the French lyrical tenor Roberto Alagna, to perform in Abu Dhabi. Hosting such classical professionals as Alagna helps to reach out and inspire new audiences to develop a deeper appreciation of the arts, which is in keeping with the educational aims of the Foundation. It also allows us to showcase the depth and breadth of activities taking in Abu Dhabi to a wider international audience.

“We are extremely proud to be supporting the French Season with Roberto Alagna in concert, and to contribute to the wonderful cultural cooperation and bridging between France and the UAE. Alagna’s performance will play a special role in this creative and innovative Season, and I know will be remembered fondly by the audience.”

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. ADMAF are premium sponsors of the French Season together with Al Masaood Automobiles and Caisse des Depots.

Tickets for the concert start at AED 200 and are available at the Emirates Palace and the French Cultural Centre. For more information: Tel: 02 6666 232 or www.frenchseason-uae.com
 

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