19 October 2019
Bahrain 28th International Music Festival Kicks Off with Classical Music Concert
Bahrain National Theatre’s stage witnessed the launch the 28th edition of Bahrain International Music Festival, on 19 October 2019, with one of the oldest French orchestras “L’Orchestre Lamoureux”, that is writing a new page of its history with the creation of the Lamoureux Chamber Orchestra, launching a concert entitled “100% Mozart”.
Commenting on the event, H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) said : “ We meet again this year to celebrate this annual sustainable rendez-vous, an important meeting that we intentionally organized to communicate with the whole world through sweet music, creating a cultural exchange space between Bahrain and the world’s civilisations”. H.E has pointed out that the 28th edition of Bahrain International Music Festival reflects the country’s openness and unique diversity through a myriad of events coming from a number of countries, while giving a privileged space for creative local Bahraini icons who mastered music as their channel of discourse to the world at large.
H.E expressed her sincerest gratitude and thanks to the embassies of France, Germany and Egypt for their efforts to enrich this year’s edition of Bahrain’s International Music Festival. H.E extended her thanks to BACA’s staff for their relentless efforts to make this festival a brilliant success, arguing that great deeds are the result of collective team work and cooperation with all parties and individuals.
In an opening speech, H.E Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Director-General of Culture and Arts at the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, said : “ We celebrate here today the start of the 28th edition of Bahrain International Music Festival, a special event that we unravel many music arts wonders coming from all over the world”. H.E Shaikha Hala added that Bahrain Culture Authority does not simply organize different concerts and music events, but rather is keen to offer an exceptional educational and cultural program to shed light on music through many workshops for different age categories.
Under the direction of violinist Hugues Borsarello, This chamber orchestra reflected the musical outcome of the Orchestra and the determination of the musicians to reveal itself to the public in all its authenticity. This intimate musical configuration allowed the interpretation of a varied repertoire to be closer to the audience and appreciate the orchestra’s diverse music, which promises an undisputed innovation. To this aim and others, L'Orchestre has entrusted its keys to the famous violin solo Hugues Borsarello. For the first time, the Lamoureux Chamber Orchestra will host a guest of honor, Maestro Jean-Philippe Collard, who was raised with a musical family that made his surrender to the charm of Chamber music.
The acclaimed festival of Bahrain International Music Festival, which will run until 26 October 2019, comes part of the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities’ year-long celebrations, under the theme “Our Year of Celebrations”. The festival will highlight various musical genres ranging from orchestra, rock and pop, to the Kingdom’s very own traditional tunes.
On 20 October 2019, the Cultural Hall will host the second event organized by Bahrain International Music Festival at 8:00 pm, in an “indie-folk” musical evening combining vocal hooks, guitar-driven melodies and soulful upbeat sounds, whereby Bahraini musician Mo Zowayed will take the audience on a wanderlust journey through his transient experiences. The public will strike a rendez-vous with Bahraini indie-folk singer and songwriter Mo Zowayed combines vocal hooks with guitar-driven melodies, creating a soulful, upbeat sound with cracking, memorable choruses, whilst his lyrics evoke feelings of wanderlust and draw heavily on transient experiences. His music is brought to life by talented, highly experienced musicians - some of whom have recorded for and toured with First Aid Kit, Angus & Julia Stone and Hurts.
On 22 October the French Ensemble Contraste, Known for their diversity and spontaneity, the ensemble are known for incorporating classical, tango, musical comedy, jazz, contemporary compositions and more into their performances, presents a variety of musical genres including classical, tango, musical comedy, jazz, and more in a thrilling musical evening. The event is organized in cooperation with the French Embassy to the Kingdom of Bahrain. On 23 October, "Treptow, which is a German band based in Berlin, who specialize in pop, rock and alternative/independent music, in cooperation with the German Embassy to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and in their very first concert outside of Europe, the German rock band "Treptow" are set to present their energetic songs in their native language and bring the sound of Berlin to the Kingdom of Bahrain to meet the whole world.
From Europe to the Arab world, the Cultural Hall audience will, on 24 October, certainly be mesmerized with a distinguished inspiring concert by Lebanese versatile artist Daline Jabbour specializes in oud, vocal coaching, classical Arabic and Soufi music. On 25 October 2019, the Bahrain Music Band are set to bring back some of the most joyous memories filled with “TV Nostalgia” from the songs and music of TV drama. These series spoke society’s language, in terms of the reality and aspirations that they portray, and had a massive impact on forming the identities of the Bahraini and Arab societies on a similar level, while leaving a memorable mark in our contemporary history. Artists from Egypt will share with their Bahraini counterparts the beauty of sweet rhythms echoing in the night. This event is organized in cooperation with the Egyptian embassy to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The festival’s curtain will fall on 26 October 2019 at Dar al Muharraq with a live performance highlighting the various styles of the uniquely Bahraini Fjiri tradition, a mystical genre that traces its roots back to the island’s glorious legacy of its world-famous pearling heritage.
The 28th edition of Bahrain International Music Festival also presents a series of workshops related to music, such as “Drum Making Workshop” for children on 19 October 2019, “ Choir Workshop” on 20 October, “ Groovy Music Workshop” on 21 October, “Expression in Music” on 24October and “Reclaiming Our Ethnomusicologies”, on 25 & 26 October.
Bahrain Culture Authority would like to inform the public that pre-registration for participation in this music workshops is required via BACA’s website : www.culture.gov.bh
Celebrating Bahrain International Music Festival, Cafe Lilou joins in the festivities this year with a special menu created for the occasion and available in both Bahrain branches for the duration of the festival between 17 -26 October 2019 through its delicious attracting tasty menus.
For more information about BACA’s latest events, please visit us on our website www.culture.gov.bh or follow us on social media networks via @culturebah
