Abu Dabi Festival Launches International Program 2012

The Abu Dhabi Festival, one of the United Arab Emirates' premier arts events, this year reaches its ninth edition, with its largest and most ambitious programme to date, featuring celebrated artists in new commissions and Arab World Premieres. The main programme is March 19th – April 6th 2012, and the educational programme opens March 11th. There is 1 Festival, 168 events, 27 days, 34 venues, 7 Emirates, the festival brings Royal Opera House to the Gulf for the first time.

The Abu Dhabi Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF). Speaking at the launch of the Festival's latest edition, Her Excellency Mrs. Hoda I. Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, said: "Through the theme 'Connecting Cultures' the Abu Dhabi Festival acknowledges the important role artistic expression plays in building partnerships of mutual understanding between people from diverse cultures and traditions. Central to the theme is cultural partnerships."

The Country of Honour this year will be the United Kingdom, a country with whom the Festival has established a number of notable strategic partnerships, including the Royal Opera House, Manchester International Festival and Edinburgh International Festival. Three outstanding collaborations and seven events making their Arab world debut will represent the country during the Festival.

The 2012 festival includes the first public performance of 'Beloved Friend' from the Royal Opera House, inspired by the letters of Tchaikovsky and featuring celebrated actor Simon Russell-Beale, directed by the Oscar-winning playwright Ronald Harwood. The production includes dancers from the Royal Ballet.

Anoushka Shankar, one of the world's greatest sitar players, will be performing music from her latest album 'Traveller', exploring links between Indian music and Spanish flamenco. Violin virtuoso and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Maxim Vengerov will perform with Russia's oldest symphonic ensemble, the St Petersburgh Philharmonic, conducted by the award winning Yuri Temirkanov.

In a world premiere performance, Naseer Shamma & The Global Music Ensemble featuring prolific musicians from Italy, Spain, USA, Greece and Colombia will perform a repertoire specially commissioned for the Abu Dhabi Festival, directed by Iraqi oud maestro and Director of Abu Dhabi's Bait al Oud, Naseer Shamma. Collaborating with The Met in HD once again, the Festival will host the screening of Wagner's Ring Cycle, starring Bryn Terfel (Wotan), Deborah Voigt (Brünnhilde) and Jonas Kaufmann (Siegmund).

The programme features a thrilling contemporary dance production brought to Abu Dhabi from Sadler's Wells theatre in London. 'SUTRA - Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui / Antony Gormley / Szymon Brzóska with Monks from the Shaolin Temple' is a stunning blend of Kung Fu, Tai Chi and contemporary dance featuring set design by Turner prize-winning artist Antony Gormley and a beautiful score by Polish composer Szymon Brzóska.

Marking her Middle East debut, nine-time GRAMMY award winning singer, songwriter and performer Natalie Cole will entertain in an evening entitled 'Natalie Cole in Concert'. 'Fadel Shaker in Concert – A Night of Legends' will feature a selection of the songs and music performed by this Lebanese legend. A new initiative for 2012, 'Bayt Al Farabi' will showcase musical talent in tribute to 9th Century teacher, composer and scientist Abu Nasr Muhammad Al Farabi. Amongst the featured musicians are Emirati oud soloist Faisal Al Sari, Iraqi artists Anwar Abudragh and the Maqamat Ensemble, and Turkish qanun player Goksel Bagatir.

In the visual arts, the Festival is delighted to welcome renowned Iraqi artist and calligrapher Hassan Massoudy, with a new exhibition 'Gestures of Light' to be held at the Ghaf Gallery from March 19 – April 15.

The Festival is building on its international strategic partnerships to create a strong education and community programme of talks, workshops and performances to develop the burgeoning local appreciation for the arts and inspire a generation of cultural leaders. , Globe Education at Shakespeare's Globe brings to Abu Dhabi another thrilling play and workshops. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' will bring Shakespeare to life and enhance the English Language and Literature curriculum. Aspiring musicians will perform alongside the renowned Carnegie Hall's Ensemble ACJW in Young Artists' Day. Building on the partnership between Abu Dhabi Festival and Manchester International Festival (MIF), the education programme will feature MIF's 'Music Boxes'. Events will include Scottish Opera's unique experience for babies, BabyO, and Jake Rodrigues's innovative 'Ukulele World' which gives schoolchildren an unforgettable ukulele lesson. The BBC Philharmonic Maestro will offer an opportunity to conduct a virtual orchestra, while the sensory show, Oily Cart - 'Drum', is specifically designed for babies and toddlers.

The Abu Dhabi Festival Community programme plays an important role in re-awakening traditional art forms, including music and poetry. Topical issues in culture and the arts will be discussed through 'Riwaq Al Fikr/The Festival Debates', exploring cultural diplomacy, arts education and the legacy of Arab heritage. Traditional Hakawati (Arabic storytelling) performances will bring to life the mythical characters of Arabia through puppetry, shadow puppets, and wonder box.

For the third consecutive year, the Abu Dhabi Festival presents the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Premiere Music College of Prague Youth Symphony Orchestra in the 8th Emirates International Peace Music Festival. There will also be a range of music and artistic workshops in orphanages, hospitals and special needs centres across the UAE aimed at empowering, and encouraging people to explore the arts.

For further information and details of the full Abu Dhabi Festival programme, please visit http://www.abudhabifestival.ae/en. Tickets are available at www.timeouttickets.com/abudhabifestival.

Part of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2012 tickets sale proceeds will go to The Brave Heart Fund and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)

The Abu Dhabi Festival is the UAE's premiere classical arts event, attracting high caliber regional and International Artists to the capital every year. Through comprehensive educational and community programmes, the festival brings together artists, students, community groups and cultural organizations from across the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation seeks to nurture the arts, education, culture and creativity for the benefit of society and the advancement of Abu Dhabi's cultural vision. Established in 1996 by Her Excellency Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, ADMAF Founder, the Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, ADMAF Patron and President. ADMAF's broad programme of initiatives and events - including the Abu Dhabi Festival and the Young Media Leaders, The Nationals' Gallery and The Artists' Studio among many others - brings together audiences of all ages and nationalities. Through its educational and community programmes, it nurtures the creative talent of the UAE and beyond, in partnership with leading national and international institutions.

Visit www.admaf.org for more information.