Coinciding with National Day celebrations this weekend, an Italian opera ensemble will take the stage in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to celebrate the bicentennial of one of the greatest composers of the 19th century – Verdi.
The Verdi & Puccini Opera Gala will be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as part of the Italian Festival Week organised by the Italian Industry and Commerce Office in the UAE.
The soprano Monica De Rosa McKay, the tenor Gian Luca Pasolini and the baritone Daniel Giulianini will mark Giuseppe Verdi’s 200th birthday and pay tribute to Giacomo Puccini, the romantic composer believed to be Verdi’s heir apparent.
“Both Gina Luca and Daniel are singers of international renown and I have worked with them in the past in Italy,” says McKay. “When I met them this summer, we decided to work together as part of the worldwide celebrations to honour Giuseppe Verdi and chose Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the stage for the performance.”
They will be accompanied by Vitali Mihailiuc on the piano for a selection of 18 audience favourites. “We chose them quite simply for the pure pleasure it gives to perform them and also as they are some of the better-known pieces,” says McKay.
“One of the most beautiful things about opera is that even though the music and words were written years ago, it is the way it is interpreted and performed that is key to the public enjoyment and experience.”
McKay will also perform her personal favourite D’Amor Sull’ali Rosee from II Trovatore.
“This aria is about Leonora, who is trying to free her lover Manrico from captivity by offering herself in his place. I adore the role of Leonora, who as a Spanish noblewoman is the reincarnation of love, beauty and principle. She is truly a divine character.”
McKay believes the timing could not be better. “The fact that we were able to book the theatre dates so close to the UAE National Day is great as it allows us to also be part of the celebrations throughout the country,” says the Soprano. “And it shows how Italy, with a long history of art and culture, can be part of the growing appreciation of classical music in such a young and vibrant country as the UAE.”
• The opera is at the Emirates Palace at 8pm on Friday and at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, on Sunday. Tickets at www.timeouttickets.com
aahmed@thenational.ae
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