Fans of European music were treated to a wide array of vintage and contemporary classical pieces at the 5th Al Ain Music Festival.
Playing the works of maestros new and old, the celebrated Finnish orchestra Sibelius Ensemble enthralled the audience at the Ballroom of the Inter-Continental Hotel.
The opening concert, which was held on Wednesday night, was attended by Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, and a number of UAE and foreign dignitaries.
The second concert was held last night at Al Ain Fort inside the National Museum. It was attended by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture. The concluding concert will be held tonight at the hotel's ballroom.
The festival, which has been organised by the Abu Dhabi Concert Committee, brings in renowned European orchestras every year to blend their performance with the city's cultural and heritage settings for promoting cultural tourism in Al Ain.
The current festival features Sibelius Ensemble that comprises 10 musicians who play works by Mozart, Bach, Rossini, and Vivaldi along with a number of other contemporary composers.
The orchestra is performing in three concerts and a couple of public rehearsals during its visit.
Zaki Nusseibeh, Chairman of the Music Committee, said the event had enabled fans to enjoy classical European music.
"The combination of high quality concerts and the charms of the historical city of Al Ain create a unique and convivial atmosphere for music lovers," he said, adding that the festival aims to help promote Al Ain as a tourism destination. The concert participants were also taken on a guided tour of different parts of Al Ain, showing the rich cultural heritage and archaeological wealth of the UAE.
The Ministry of Information and Culture, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Embassy of Finland, Department of Antiquities and Tourism in Al Ain, Emirates Natural History Group, and Inter-Continental Resort Al Ain have united their efforts in the holding of the festival.
Fairouz Villani, a founding member of the Abu Dhabi Concert Committee, said the festival has a special significance for the committee as this is its 10th anniversary year.
Gulf News
