Abu Dhabi, UAE, 4th April 2010 – Abu Dhabi was treated to a unique performance last night as the grounds of Emirates Palace’s West Lawn were filled with the unmistakeable sounds of the pop-operatic quartet Il Divo performing with the Puccini Festival Opera Orchestra The fully seated show, brought to the capital by Flash Entertainment, was the first time the quartet has performed in Abu Dhabi. The concert was presented as part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 which is organised by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF).
Performing a number of their classic hits, alongside new gems from their latest album ‘The Promise’, the concert, showcased the quartet’s range, passion, energy and perfectly crafted talent. Demonstrating a strong rapport on-stage, the four singers intertwined their voices to create soaring melodies, interspersed by solo performances that demonstrated the qualities of each man’s unique vocal range. The performance clearly demonstrated the new levels of maturity and shared purpose of the quartet, who have been working together since 2004.
John Lickrish, Managing Director of Flash Entertainment commented:
“This evening’s performance was a huge success and a truly memorable way to introduce Il Divo to Abu Dhabi. The exceptional performances of both the quartet and the Puccini Festival Opera Orchestra thrilled the audience last night, who came out in their thousands to enjoy this unforgettable outdoor show.”
H.E. Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 also commented:
“I’m delighted that the Il Divo concert was so well received by Abu Dhabi audience. The Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 program was put together for the people of the Emirates, and it is always a pleasure to see members of the community enjoying Festival events. Il Divo are a young and dynamic group who bring the worlds of classical music and popular melodies together in a new and innovative way, adding a unique flavour to an already diverse Festival program.”
The Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 has showcased a number of stunning international acts so far, with standing ovations and world premieres bringing joy and excitement to the packed audiences. Running until the 7th April, the remaining program offers audiences a host of international and regional virtuosi performing in Emirates Palace, as well as community and education events taking place around the Emirates.
Il Divo in concert, Live in Abu Dhabi was sponsored by Aldar, Du and Etihad Airways, and supported by Marina Mall, Synaxis Media, Time Out Abu Dhabi, Showtime, Radio 2, ENG and Emirates Palace.
Early last month: Flash Entertainment Announce Il Divo in concert Live in Abu Dhabi
World’s Most Popular Operatic Pop Group Perform for the first time in Abu Dhabi as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010
Tickets are going on sale today
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2nd March 2010: “We’re determined to keep raising the bar for entertainment in Abu Dhabi, with a wide range of acts and events throughout the year. This concert will bring something completely new to the capital, bridging the gap between classical music and pop culture and introducing the younger generations to a whole new style of music”, commented John Lickrish, Managing Director of Flash Entertainment. “Flash is committed to bringing the world’s leading performers to the capital, whether from the sporting arenas or the world of performing arts, to put Abu Dhabi on the map as a hub for entertainment and culture.
Il Divo was formed in 2004 as a multinational operatic pop vocal group, with members from Switzerland, the USA, Spain and France. Il Divo has since become the most successful international break out story of the past few years, selling more than 25million albums. Conquering the hearts of fans and the charts of nations all around the world, the group has garnered over 150 gold and platinum awards in 33 countries. They have performed for over 2 million people on their recent tours and won last year’s Billboard Breakthrough Award for having one of the year’s top grossing tours; playing 130 arena shows across six continents.
Echoing the cultural diversity of Abu Dhabi itself, Il Divo’s music appeals to every nationality, whilst simultaneously introducing lovers of popular music to the operatic style. Sebastien Izambard from Il Divo stated “We’re really excited to be finally making it to Abu Dhabi and playing this special show as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival. Our first experience in the UAE was in Dubai which we loved, and a couple of us have even been back for holidays, so we’re really keen to learn more about the community there and be part of this special arts and cultural festival.”
The concert will take place during the renowned Abu Dhabi Festival 2010, which aims to provide a platform to fuse world-class performances from the masters of the arts world today with cultural local vision and a depth of community spirit. In showcasing Il Divo, Flash Entertainment and the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation will be working together for the second time as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010, after previously presenting the successful Andrea Bocelli concert in the grounds of Emirates Palace, attracting an audience of over 11,000.
“One of the key missions of the Abu Dhabi Festival is to encourage everyone to embrace culture and the arts, in order to lay a strong foundation for the development of Abu Dhabi as a cultural center for the region and a key player in the international arts world,” commented H.E Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder, Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation.
“Singers such as Il Divo, whose work spans the worlds of opera and popular music, provide a beautiful introduction to the joys of operatic technique. I look forward to working with Flash again this year to take the spirit of the Abu Dhabi Festival to a wider audience.”
The Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 runs from 20 March to 7 April 2010 and events will primarily be hosted at the Emirates Palace.