Latest news with #JonathanTetelman
CairoScene
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Abu Dhabi Festival 2025 Opens With New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, the opening event marks 50 years of UAE-Japan diplomatic relations. Feb 10, 2025 The Abu Dhabi Festival 2025 opened with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Yutaka Sado, marking their first-ever performance in the Arab world. Held at Emirates Palace, the concert featured tenor Jonathan Tetelman and pianist Kyohei Sorita. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), the opening event marks 50 years of UAE-Japan diplomatic relations. The event included the Abu Dhabi Festival Award ceremony, honouring Japan's Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Shunichi Tokura, and architect Riken Yamamoto. The programme featured Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, and Puccini's Manon Lescaut. The festival also hosted educational initiatives, including masterclasses and open rehearsals with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, engaging young Emirati musicians. The festival runs until April 2025, featuring standout performances such as Kodo's Japanese drumming spectacle, Yunchan Lim's UAE debut with Bach's Goldberg Variations, and an All-Star Ballet Gala with dancers from the UK's Royal Ballet and Germany's Bayerisches Staatsballett.
Trade Arabia
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Trade Arabia
Abu Dhabi Festival opens with 'World of Harmony' theme
The Abu Dhabi Festival opened last week its 22nd edition under the theme 'Abu Dhabi – A World of Harmony,' in alignment with the UAE's 'Year of Community.' This year, the festival celebrates over 50 years of friendship and diplomatic relations between the UAE and its country of honour, Japan. It is held under the honorary founding patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and under the patronage of Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan. Festival's Inaugural Concert Organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and founded by Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and Abu Dhabi Festival, this year's festival opened on February 7 in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance & Coexistence and Patron of ADMAF, Dr Maitha Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of State, and Ken Okaniwa, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE, at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The festival's inaugural concert commenced with its first Abu Dhabi Festival Award ceremony of the year, presented in association with Chopard, honouring the artistic and cultural contributions of Japan's Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Shunichi Tokura and 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate, Riken Yamamoto – who is also recognised as one of the most influential architects in the world. During a special award ceremony, this prestigious honour was bestowed upon its recipients by Sheikh Nahyan and Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis-Kanoo. Abu Dhabi Festival's inaugural concert continued to build on its legacy of firsts with the historic performance of the renowned New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time in the Arab world, led by legendary conductor Yutaka Sado, alongside star tenor Jonathan Tetelman and celebrated pianist, Kyohei Sorita on Fenraury 7 and 8. These two historic performances set the stage for the exceptional lineup of talent from around the world that will grace the Festival over the next two months. Attendees were captivated by a stunning repertoire on the two opening nights, including Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with Kyohei Sorita at the piano, Tchaikovsky's iconic Piano Concerto no. 1 and Symphony No. 5, and Puccini's 'What a Beautiful Woman' from the opera Manon Lescaut, brought to life by the magnificent voice of internationally acclaimed tenor Jonathan Tetelman, among other remarkable pieces. Dr Maitha Al Shamsi said: 'The theme of this year's Festival, 'Abu Dhabi – A World of Harmony,' embodies the cultural diversity of our society, which includes more than two hundred nationalities that share values of human fraternity, solidarity, harmony, and familiarity, that characterise UAE society, and work together, hand in hand, for the country's renaissance and sustainable development.' Dr Al Shamsi said: "With the UAE declaring this year as the 'Year of Community,' embodying the leadership's vision towards building a cohesive and prosperous society, by strengthening ties within families and society, and developing relations between generations, the 22nd edition of Abu Dhabi Festival contributes to creating comprehensive creative spaces that consolidate the values of cooperation, belonging and common global human experiences, especially those related to the dialogue of civilisations and the preservation of cultural heritage." 'The festival also celebrates more than 50 years of friendship and mutual understanding between the UAE and its country of honour, Japan, showcasing an appreciation for the diversity and richness of Japanese culture through its exceptional lineup of artists, musicians, and creators," the minister added. Al Khamis-Kanoo said: 'The Abu Dhabi Festival returns for its 22nd edition under the inspiring theme 'Abu Dhabi – A World of Harmony,' uniting people and cultures through music and the arts, in alignment with the United Arab Emirates' 'Year of Community'. This year, the Festival also celebrates 50 years of friendship and diplomatic relations between the UAE and its country of honour, Japan.' Empowering the Next Generation As part of the ADMAF's ongoing commitment to investing in the potential of its nation's youth, Japanese Architect and 2025 Abu Dhabi Festival Award recipient, Riken Yamamoto, also participated in a special talk presented by the Abu Dhabi Festival as part of Riwaq Al Fikr - ADMAF Talks, in collaboration with the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, on 6 February 2025. The talk, titled 'Crafting Tomorrow: Riken Yamamoto's Architectural Journey,' explored the transformative power of architecture in shaping communities. From February 6-8, Abu Dhabi Festival hosted education initiatives featuring the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. Students - from public and private schools - attended Festival in Focus, an exclusive open rehearsal with the orchestra, while musicians visited the Japanese School Abu Dhabi for a Back to School event with Maestro Yutaka Sado and Kyohei Sorita. Additionally, on February 7, the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra performed an Encore at Emirates Palace, playing Hana (Flowers) by Rentaro Haki alongside ten student musicians from the Abu Dhabi Youth Orchestra.
Emirates 24/7
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates 24/7
Abu Dhabi Festival 2025 to open with New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
The 22nd edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival is set to open on 7th February with the Arab world premiere of the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra led by legendary conductor Yutaka Sado featuring Tenor Star Jonathan Tetelman. The event is followed by a second concert on 8th February featuring celebrated pianist Kyohei Sorita at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), this year's festival is held under the inspiring theme 'Abu Dhabi – A World of Harmony,' and celebrates over 50 years of friendship between the UAE and its country of honour: Japan. The festival's inaugural concert will present the star tenor Jonathan Tetelman, who will bring Puccini's Manon Lescaut, Le Villi, and Turandot to life with his magnificent voice. Joining the evening is celebrated pianist Kyohei Sorita, a silver medallist at the 2021 Chopin Competition, performing Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2. The orchestra will also perform Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 (From the New World), a symphonic masterpiece inspired by the composer's experiences in America. On 8th February, the second headline performance will see Kyohei Sorita return to the stage to perform Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, and the orchestra plays Yasushi Akutagawa's Triptyque for Strings and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 a work that explores themes of fate and triumph. These two historic performances mark the beginning of an exceptional season at the Abu Dhabi Festival 2025, reaffirming its reputation for creative excellence by showcasing the world's finest artists and performers and enriching cultural experiences both locally and globally. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
