ABU DHABI CLASSICS: THE LINE-UP
The new season of the annual cultural event kicks off on Friday with the Camerata Salzburg Orchestra
Abu Dhabi Classics is back with a new season, kicking off on Friday with violin virtuoso Renaud Capucon, and running until April 2019, with a season-closing recital by Chinese pianist Ran Jia. Audiences will also be treated to the first ever international production of The Valkyrie, inspired by the works of Richard Wagner, and produced under the artistic direction of Wagner’s great granddaughter. Here’s a complete guide to the 2018-2019 season of events.
Camerata Salzburg with Renaud Capucon (Dh50-Dh395)
Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. When: Friday. Doors open at 7pm. Austrian chamber orchestra Camerata Salzburg are joined by the French classical violinist Renaud Capucon at the season opener. They will put on Mozart and Satie Violin Concertos. The evening will be rounded off with pieces from the French minimalist composer and pianist Erik Satie, who was an eccentric figure of the 19th and 20th centuries.
La Scala Academy Rising Stars (Dh50Dh395)
Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. When: November 9. Doors open at 7pm. La Scala Academy Ballet Stars will put on three performances, starting with Suite from Bayadere, going into Gymnopedie and ending with Napoli. The Academia Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy, is a leading institution for training performing artists. Xavier de Maistre Harp Recitals (Dh50-Dh250) Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. When: December 6. Doors open at 7pm. Where: Bin Hamoodah Fort, Al Ain. When: December 7. Doors open at 7pm. As part of his first performance in the UAE, French harpist Xavier de Maistre will perform two sets in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The first, on December 6 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, is titled Spanish Nights with works from Albeniz, Granados and de Falla. The second, taking place the following night at Bin Hamoodah Fort, is dubbed Heart of the Oasis, with works from Debussy, Faure and more.
Bayreuth Festival: The Valkyrie (Dh200-Dh1195)
Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. When: January 30 - February 1. Doors open at 6pm.
The Bayreuth Festival in Germany, which puts on performances of the iconic 19th century German composer Richard Wagner, will debut its first international production of The Valkyrie in Abu Dhabi.
The musical drama will be produced under the artistic direction of Katharina Wagner, Wagner’s great granddaughter. A feature film will also play in the background, telling the tale of the Valkyrie.
Ran Jia – Solo Piano Recital (Dh50Dh250)
Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. When: April 19. Doors open at 7pm. Wrapping up the Abu Dhabi Classics 2018-2019 season is a recital by the young Chinese pianist Ran Jia.
Jia is noted for her interpretations of Austrian composer Franz Schubert’s works. She will perform Schubert Sonata in D major D850, Daqun Jia Three Preludes for Solo Piano and Schubert Sonata in B flat major 960.