Withdrawing its decision to disband, the NSO Symphony Orchestra will continue to create musical magic across the UAE
In April last year, the NSO Symphony Orchestra took to the stage at Emirates Palace Auditorium in Abu Dhabi to bow out in style with a musical spectacle to remember. The ensemble’s annual concert titled A Night at the Movies… The Final Curtain was to be its closing performance, after which, the orchestra would depart from the public eye. But thanks to an outpouring of support from patrons after the show, and much to the delight of the UAE’s classical music community, the troupe withdrew its decision to disband and will continue to captivate audiences across the country with special events and private performances.
Led by conductor and musical director Andrew Berryman, the NSO Symphony Orchestra has delivered some of the most memorable live music performances in the emirate including programmes designed to take the audiences on a journey through the evolution of classical music and the most popular cinematic scores of all time.Renowned guest artists have also joined the ensemble during their performances over the years. One of their last shows, A Tribute to Frank Sinatra, featured a 17-piece band of international musicians and singers. The talented troupe performed popular tunes by the iconic 20th-century singer including classical renditions of Fly Me to the Moon, Sway, My Way, My Funny Valentine and That’s Life.
Save your seats… LA DOLCE VITA September 20, 2019 4:30pm and 7:30pm Emirates Palace Auditorium HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD October 4, 2019 4:30pm and 7:30pm Manarat Al Saadiyat Auditorium
Janet Hassouneh, founder and executive director of NSO Symphony Orchestra, says: “For the past eight years, we have endeavoured to present rich orchestral concerts with exciting and challenging music programmes that have delighted music lovers in the UAE, all organised with a small team of part-time supporters. “Obviously, this level of organisation requires an enormous amount of hard work, dedication and goodwill, which we could not sustain. Our musicians, however, would like to continue playing together and I will devote my time to running the NSO Music Agency, where I can advise clients on the perfect combination of musicians, with a suitable programme of music for any setting.”
Judging by the ensemble’s milestone moments through the years, from opening the show for the Volvo Ocean Race in 2014 with English composer Sir George Fenton to accompanying singer Andrea Bocelli when he performed live at du Arena on Yas Island in 2016, the road ahead continues to look bright for the talented troupe.At present, the ensemble is gearing up for its next performance, with two shows lined up in the UAE capital over the upcoming months.
Titled La Dolce Vita, the first performance for the new season in September will see guest conductor Simon Hilderbing lead the troupe as they present popular classical and contemporary compositions from Mozart, Bach and the legendary Lebanese artist Fairouz. Also on the agenda for NSO Symphony Orchestra in October is Hooray for Hollywood, an evening dedicated to music from Oscar-winning movies including The Piano, Harry Potter and Superman.