The prestigious Italian string quartet Quartetto di Venezia is holding a concert in the UAE capital to celebrate the opening of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

Quartetto di Venezia will perform at Abu Dhabi Theatre, Corniche Breakwater, on April 26 as a guest of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and The Embassy of Italy to the UAE.

The Quartet has been invited to the emirate as Italy is this year’s Guest of Honour at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The concert is also supported by the Abu Dhabi Classics international concert season, which runs until May and attracts leading classical music performers from across the world to perform in the emirate during its annual nine month season.

With Andrea Vio (violin), Alberto Battiston (violin), Giancarlo Di Vacri (viola) and Angelo Zanin (cello), the quartet will treat the audience to a rich repertoire from Puccini, Verdi and Beethoven.

The Quartet is renowned for its distinctive precision and passion, the inherited qualities of two basic schools of quartet interpretation: The Quartetto Italiano under the guidance of Piero Farulli and the Mid-European School of the Vegh Quartet. In addition to their appearances throughout Italy, the Quartet has toured extensively all over the world.

The 26th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, from April 27 to May 3 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The Book Fair will highlight its Personality of the Year, the Arabic-Islamic philosopher Ibn Rushd, through a dedicated pavilion while Italy will also be celebrated through an integrated programme that consists of cultural and professional events and kids’ activities. Italy will also feature in the Show Kitchen and the Illustrator’s Corner and shed light on the Emirati-Italian cultural dialogue.

The concert begins at 8.30 pm with free entry. - TradeArabia News Service