What’s On announces Abu Dhabi Festival 2015 line-up, featuring musician Sérgio Mendes, who has worked with John Legend, and Mayssa Karaa.

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The Abu Dhabi Festival (ADF) has unveiled a stellar line-up for its 2015 edition, featuring Academy Award nominated Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes and Lebanese-American up-and-coming singer Mayssa Karaa.

Headliners of the festival, Mendes has collaborated with artists such as the Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake and John Legend. Karaa rose to fame after her being a featured vocalist on the Oscar-nominated film American Hustle’s musical soundtrack.

The twelfth edition of the event will see Mendes make his Gulf debut on March 20 with Beats From Brazil, a fusion of soul, funk, jazz and pop. Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez will perform A Night At The Opera with the Budapest Festival Orchestra on March 23, highlighting a variety of opera from Rossini to Bizet. Conducted by Hungarian composer Iván Fischer, the Grammy-nominated orchestra will also perform on March 26, 28 and 30. Deutsche Grammophon artist and piano prodigy Jan Lisiecki will make his Abu Dhabi debut on March 24. The final concert will see Arab-American songbird Karaa sing with special guest Marcus Nand on April 2.

In addition to the main programme, there is an education and community programme offering over 130 experiences for visitors to take part in. One such example, and new to the festival this year, is the introduction of both recitals and student workshops hosted by young, award-winning classical musicians. The series will see performances by pianists Ah Reum Ahn on March 3 and Julian Libeer on March 13 and violinist Aisha Syed Casro on March 17.

Speaking of the initiative, Artistic Director of ADF, HE Hoda Al Khamis-Kanoo said: “It is not simply an event. It is a creative experience that is anticipated and embraced by the people of the UAE.”

To be hosted from March 3 to April 2, the arts and culture festival named Italy as the country of honour and will host maestro Riccardo Muti, founder and director of the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra, during a special performance on March 25.

Tickets for the festival are on sale now.

March 3 to April 2
Various locations, including Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, Mar 3 to Apr 2, Dhs37 to Dhs945. Tel: (02) 3336400. Taxi: Emirates Palace. abudhabifestival.ae