Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority Welcomes the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra for UAE Debut

Orchestra unites musicians to promote expression and intercultural understanding during inaugural performance in the Emirates

West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in performance, Courtesy Monika Rittershaus

Abu Dhabi, January 15, 2013 Continuing with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority's (TCA Abu Dhabi) Encounters between East and West performances that commenced with a celebration of Richard Wagner in December, a unique musical experience by the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra will debut in the UAE on 23 January 2014 at Emirates Palace.

Having performed in several Arab countries since 2003, the Orchestra returns to the region with its youthful musicians from the Near East as well as Europe. Led by esteemed pianist, conductor and founder of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim, the group's Abu Dhabi performance will deliver an exclusive experience of classical music featuring compositions such as Sinfonia Concertante by Mozart and Beethoven's timeless Symphony No. 7.

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of TCA Abu Dhabi says of this forthcoming event: “TCA Abu Dhabi offers opportunities for artistic appreciation of an increasing number of performing arts which complements creativity and education established in the city. This latest performance represents both our, and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra's mission – crossing borders and boundaries to share the many benefits of the arts.”

Founded in 1999 by Maestro Daniel Barenboim and the late literary scholar Edward Said, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra brings together musicians with the aim to foster dialogue and intercultural understanding through an impartial and unprejudiced devotion to their art, regardless of political and societal borders. Meeting every summer in Seville, Spain, the musicians participate in a programme of workshops, rehearsals, lectures and discussions, followed by an international concert tour.
The performance takes place on the 23 January at 8pm in the Emirates Palace auditorium and is complimentary (however prior registration is required). For more information or to book, please visit http://www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae, email manaratalsaadiyat@tcaabudhabi.ae or phone 02 6575800. The performance has been organised with the support of the German Embassy.