Stellar performances from Emirates Opera Project and Al Sharq Orchestra
October
10, 2013. Raffles Dubai, Wafi City
Montegrappa, Italy's
oldest manufacturer of luxury writing instruments, presents a one-night-only
gala dinner and concert in celebration of Giuseppe Verdi’s bicentennial, on
October 10th at the Raffles hotel, Wafi City.
The event brings
together the Emirates Opera Project and Al Sharq Orchestra
- led by Mohamad Hamami and conducted by Martyn Bagnall, performing selections
and scenes from popular and beloved Verdi operas, such as ‘La donna è mobile’
from Rigoletto, ‘Libiamo ne' lieti calici’ from La Traviata, ‘Va, pensiero’
from Nabucco and the ‘Grand March’ from Aida.
This year, Italy and
the world all over have staged a season-long celebration to honour the 200th
year of the birth of Romantic composer Giuseppe Verdi.
 |
| Mohamad Hamami |
“As an Italian company
we’re immensely proud of Verdi’s legacy in the world today. Montegrappa has
recently celebrated his creative genius with a special edition Giuseppe Verdi
tribute pen and will launch a limited edition pen dedicated to one of his most famous
works, 'Rigoletto',
this October. Verdi is undisputedly the patriarch of Italian music with
an unmatched ability to stage great human passions, deliver compelling stories
and dramatic coups. His opera has always been closest to my heart, and it’s such
a joy to see it discovered and appreciated by new generations and new publics,”
said Giuseppe Aquila, CEO of Montegrappa Italia.
 |
| Maria Glück - Emirates Opera Project |
The works of Verdi
have been the mainstay of opera companies worldwide for over a century, but
2013 has seen a worldwide bonanza of recordings, broadcasts and performances of
the Italian maestro, from New York and Sydney to Milan and Zurich, and now
Dubai.
“It is a thrill to
honor Verdi with this special concert here in the UAE, and I am looking forward
to seeing two astonishing local groups of musicians – the Emirates Opera
Project and Al Sharq Orchestra - tackle the work of one of opera’s greatest
composers. This speaks volumes about the world-class talent cultivated here in
the UAE and the dynamic role the Emirates plays on the world’s art scene. As
Giuseppe Verdi was born on the 10th of October 1813, this occasion, on 10th of
October 2013, marks the 200th anniversary of his birth. So in effect we are
hosting his 200th birthday party. There will be cake!” added Mr. Aquila.
Al Sharq Orchestra
was established by Mohamad Hamami and Barbara James in April 2008. Today it
comprises some 60 musicians of 22 nationalities, and a repertoire equally
diverse: traditional Arabic, classical pieces and original compositions.
The Emirates Opera Project represents a collaborative group of opera singers and musicians
living in the UAE, such as Maria Glück, Christine Belbelian, Jerzy
Olsson-Nagorski, Julia Teal Kermott, Robert Millner and Stanislav Fedyuk, who
meet regularly to perform together, nurture local talent and strive to achieve
world-class operatic performances.
 |
| Christine Belbelian - Emirates Opera Project |
Under the lead of
conductor Martyn Bagnall -
well-known for his directorial accomplishments, which include the premiere of
Verdi’s Requiem in Dubai (May 2010) with soloists from The Royal Opera House
Covent Garden, and most recently the training of a large chorus accompanying
the world famous tenor Andrea Bocelli in concert at the Du Arena in Abu Dhabi
(March 2013) – the Emirates Opera Project and Al Sharq Orchestra will bring to
life, and in all of us, the spirit of Verdi.
The one-night-only
gala dinner and concert, sponsored by Rivoli and supported by Dubai Culture,
takes place on Thursday, October 10,
2013, 7:30 p.m. onwards, in The
Ballroom at Raffles Dubai in Wafi City.
To
book your seat and to learn more about the event, please visit http://www.montegrappa.me/verdi/.
Tickets are on sale now starting
from AED 500. For table bookings, please
call on +97150 9280085.
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