Six world-class artists are taking part in the 21st Bahrain International Music Festival, being held as part of events to celebrate Manama being named this year's Capital of Arab Culture.

Organised by the Culture Ministry, the six-day event at the Cultural Hall will feature daily concerts, starting at 8pm, by musicians from Egypt, Jordan, Armenia, Sudan, Tunisia and Spain.

"We are celebrating over two decades of beautiful voices and music from across the globe," said Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.

"The festival presents a rare and exceptional opportunity for audiences to enjoy an entirely new world of experiences."

The festival will be inaugurated by Egyptian opera singer Nouresta Elmerghany, accompanied by Georgian pianist Maya Gvineria, as she presents a selection of famous operas through the ages.

She will be followed tomorrow night by Armenia's Queen of Qanun Hasmik Leyloyan, who will perform her delicate blend of folk and classical compositions.

On Tuesday, billboard chart-topping Jordanian pianist ZADE takes the stage to bring his signature style in which he combines Arabic music with Latin, classical and pop flavours.

Wednesday will feature a show by visionary Sudanese oud player Mohammed Al Amin as he weaves together his nuanced musical sensibility and honest voice.

From Tunisia, pioneering violinist Amina Srarfi and her all-female group El Azifet will follow with a performance which balances traditional Eastern influences with contemporary influences that embody the modern spirit, on Thursday.

The final day of the festival, on Friday, lovers of classical Western music will be enthralled as Madrid-based ensemble Orquestade Camara Reina Sofia brings to life a selection of the most timeless masterpieces by some of the greatest composers of all time. – TradeArabia News Service