Heralded by the New York Times as the ‘hottest artist on the classical music planet’, Lang Lang, pianist-extrodinaire, will be headlining the the 13th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival in April 2016. Get ADF16 will also welcome France’s most famous symphony orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, as it celebrates France as its Country of Honour.
“Year after year, the Abu Dhabi Festival seeks to uphold, explore and celebrate the values of the UAE that traverse the humanitarian, the cultural and the intellectual. The Festival, which embarks on its 13thedition in 2016, is one of ADMAF’s main pillars and eloquently reflects a steadfast commitment to the continuing socio-economic development of the cultural sector, to the ongoing engagement and participation of Emirati citizens in the arts, and to the rising rates of cultural tourism in the UAE.” said H.E. Hoda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation.
“The Abu Dhabi Festival works in line with the vision of the Abu Dhabi Government, seeking to reaffirm the capital’s global profile as a destination for creativity and a meeting place for the civilizations of the world,” the Founder added. “As the inauguration of Louvre Abu Dhabi approaches, the Festival welcomes France as the 2016 Festival Country of Honour, which will highlight the strength of bilateral cultural relations as well as the spirit of creativity shared by both countries, particularly in the fields of arts and music.
Furthering the Festival spirit that brings together the greatest artists from both the East and the West in the heart of the UAE, ADF16 will welcome one of the world’s greatest classical music stars: Chinese pianist, Lang Lang. Captivating and charismatic, and known for his virtuoso technique, spectacular showmanship and flamboyant energy, Lang Lang will grace the ADF16 stage with a recital that includes pieces by Tchaikovsky, Bach and Chopin.
ADF16 will also welcome Orchestre de Paris to the Festival stage under the baton of its acclaimed Music Director, Paavo Järvi, for two sublime concerts as part of the Festival’s celebration of France. The first will feature the critically acclaimed soloists Xavier Phillips (cello) and Thierry Escaich (organ) and works by three giants of French classical music, Berlioz, Lalo and Saint-Saëns. The second will feature the virtuoso violinist Sergey Khachatryan and pieces by two of the most revered composers of all time, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius.
Tickets for Lang Lang (Thursday 14 April at 8pm, Emirates Palace Auditorium) and Orchestre de Paris (Friday 15 and Sunday 17 April at 8pm, Emirates Palace Auditorium) will be announced alongside the complete Festival programme in early December.
[dropcap]Watch www.abudhabifestival.ae for details.[/dropcap]