Watch dance, jazz and opera shows in a grand setting.

Happy 20th birthday, Abu Dhabi Festival. To mark the occasion, the festival has announced an exciting series of concerts at Emirates Palace. So, if you love music – we’re talking classical, jazz and opera – then you’re in for a classy treat. 

The Abu Dhabi Festival’s Emirates Palace concerts take place across March. This year’s theme is The Will for Evolution, and the events also include musical tours, panel discussions and workshops. 

The Abu Dhabi Festival’s Emirates Palace concerts kick off on 1 March with Juan Diego Flórez and Friends. The Peruvian operatic tenor, Juan Diego Flórez, will perform Peruvian and Latin American arias and melodies, while accompanied with an orchestra.

On March 10, De Scheherezade a Yo, Carmen makes its Middle Eastern debut. The dance draws inspiration from the world-famous opera Carmen, which follows a gypsy girl who meets a tragic end. This is a rare chance to catch the legendary Spanish flamenco dancer and choreographer, María Pagés, in the UAE.

On March 11, American jazz musician Gregory Porter makes his UAE debut. Born in California, he originally intended to pursue a career in football. After suffering from a shoulder injury, the sport’s loss was the music industry’s gain. He went on to have a successful career in music, winning two Grammy Awards. The upcoming concert will see him perform tracks from his albums Liquid Spirit and Take Me to the Alley.

On March 17, From West to East: A Classical Odyssey makes its Middle Eastern debut. Catch Chinese composer Tan Dun, who went from working in a rice plant during the Cultural Revolution to winning an Academy Award for his film score. He is conducting the Orchestra of Teatro Comunale di Modena Pavarotti-Freni, and is joined by the famous Chinese cellist Jian Wang. The repertoire covers classical music’s greatest hits from Mozart, Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky, and the UAE premiere of his original Pipa Concerto.

On March 18, Tan Dun returns to Emirates Palace, this time with Buddha Passion. The show also makes its Middle Eastern debut and brings to life six Buddha parables, which cover themes of love, forgiveness and sacrifice.

Tickets are on sale now. 

GO: Visit https://abudhabifestival.ae for more information.