BBC Worldwide’s acclaimed ‘Blue Planet’ in concert will open the Abu Dhabi stopover of the 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) on December 12 marking the show’s Arabian premiere.

The ‘Blue Planet’ in concert combines specially cut high definition footage from the award winning TV series - The Blue Planet - with the musical score performed by a live orchestra, said a statement.

Two 90-minute evening performances of the concert will be shown on December 12 and 13 on a 10-metre wide screen placed on a purpose-built, floating stage in the waters off Abu Dhabi’s Corniche and will be accompanied by a 78-piece orchestra led by a celebrity guest conductor.  

Mat Way, commercial director of Live Events at BBC Worldwide, said: “The skyline of Abu Dhabi and the surrounding marine environment will provide a superb and appropriate backdrop to the spectacular scenes featured in Blue Planet in Concert. We hope that the proven mix of breathtaking footage combined with beautiful and evocative live orchestral music will help to set the tone for the stopover celebrations to follow.”

Hosted by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the three-week stopover festival will take place in a 30,000 sq m, purpose-built VOR Destination Village on the UAE capital’s Corniche Breakwater, packed with edutainment and entertainment highlighting Abu Dhabi’s union with the sea and its maritime heritage.

Also showcased will be dhow racing, pearl diving showcases, traditional sea shanty performances, ocean conservation exhibitions and activities such as beach clean-ups and turtle conservation talks.

Sultan Al Dhaheri, acting executive director - tourism, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: “The stopover is a tremendous international showcase which propels our winter watersports credentials and marine heritage to the fore among the global sailing community.

“This is when four centuries of maritime heritage will connect with today’s greatest ocean adventure in the world’s most exciting destination.”

More than 200,000 people are expected to visit Abu Dhabi’s VOR Destination Village, which will be open to the public from December 12 until January 3, when the race fleet will depart for its next endurance sailing leg to Sanya, China. - TradeArabia News Service