The 22nd edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival will open on 7 February 2025, under the honorary patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, with an extraordinary performance—the Arab World Premiere of the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.
Led by the acclaimed Yutaka Sado, the orchestra will take center stage at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, presenting an unforgettable night of music. The performance will feature Tenor Jonathan Tetelman, whose powerful voice will breathe life into Puccini’s masterpieces Manon Lescaut, Le Villi, and Turandot. Following Tetelman’s remarkable solo performance, Kyohei Sorita, the silver medalist at the 2021 Chopin Competition, will captivate the audience with his rendition of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2.
In addition to these stellar performances, the orchestra will perform Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 (From the New World), a timeless symphonic work inspired by the composer’s journey through America. This historic concert marks the beginning of a remarkable series for the Abu Dhabi Festival, celebrating the enduring cultural ties between the UAE and its country of honor, Japan, as part of the Festival’s theme, “Abu Dhabi – A World of Harmony”.
On 8 February, the Festival continues with a second headline performance, with Kyohei Sorita returning to the stage to perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra will also perform Yasushi Akutagawa’s Triptyque for Strings and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a work that delves into the themes of fate and triumph, making for an exceptional musical experience.
These landmark performances set the tone for an exceptional season at the Abu Dhabi Festival 2025, reinforcing its reputation for showcasing world-class talent and offering enriching cultural experiences that resonate locally and globally.
Tickets are now available for purchase at www.abudhabifestival.ae
