No Concert from the MAZAHER ENSEMBLE tonight

The concert of the MAZAHER ENSEMBLE at the MAKAN will not take place place tonight as scheduled. Instead there will be an interesting "jam session" together with the Italian group OFFICINA ZOÈ on Friday October 23, still at the MAKAN ... and still at 9:00 PM. 

DON'S REVIEW: "Romeo and Juliet" at the Cairo Opera House

 
Cairo Opera Ballet and Orchestra
16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25 October 2009
Ticket information: 2739 0114

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet contains some of the most evocative, beautiful lines ever written in the English language. For Prokofiev to even attempt to translate this in to the language of music took a great deal of audacity, but the score manages to convey a theatrical sweep and expressive power so admired that the orchestral suites from the ballet are frequently performed in concert programs.

The COB’s production was collaboratively developed with the National Dance Company of Mexico, and the choreography wonderfully reflects a Latin/Mediterranean synthesis.

The ravishing Serbian ballerina, Anja Ahein, in the role of Juliet, showed great poise and charm, although with a oddly inappropriate cheerfulness in parts of Acts I and II (the Tashkenti Olga Dirda also dances the role some nights). Egypt’s own Ahmed Yehia as Romeo was excellent as always (Zorab Mikeladze on some nights). The other standout was Ahmed Nabil (Mercutio), who had a fantastic stage presence; he is a superb actor as well as a very fine dancer (Mamdoh Hassan on some nights). The dreadfully miscast Amir Farouk (Tybalt), on the other hand, went through the steps with little passion, let alone the bloodthirstiness called for in the role of Juliet’s hot-headed cousin (Ahmed Saleh on some nights). Man up, Amir! With a few noticeable exceptions, the rest of the company struggled – they seem undertrained and under-rehearsed. The COB Orchestra led by Nayer Nagui had some difficulties with the score, particularly the brass and woodwind sections, but their less than stellar performance did little to detract from the dancing.

For those of you who have not yet seen a performance at the Cairo Opera House. Go!

It is comfortable, clean, easily accessible, and a lovely place to see music and dance. See the excellent venue description in the blog before you go.

Note that tickets for performances can be purchased at the box office at the Opera House right before the performance – although the COB and gala productions do “sell out” (including a large fraction of the tickets given away to VIPs that are maddeningly not used), so if you can, it’s a good idea to buy tickets early for these performances. When at the box office, don’t take no for an answer! Be polite and persistent and keep waiting and you’ll almost always get a seat. While the Opera House website has a “online tickets” link, it doesn’t work, and apparently never has worked!
 

ELIANA BURKI & BAND in concert tomorrow

The Alphorn is traditionally associated with tough mustached men in lederhosen blowing into their instruments atop of the Alps. The young Swiss musician Eliana Burki is as far as you can get from this stereotype. In few years she has established her name bringing this most peculiar instrument to a new young audience more attuned to the sound of rock, blues and funk than that of folk music.
Having seen her at a private concert last Sunday, I can assure you that you will be mesmerized by what she can do with the set of alphorns she brought along in Egypt. She and her band of young accomplished musicians will definitely rock you.
Do not miss this unique chance of seeing them tomorrow, Wednesday October 21, 2009 in the Wisdom Hall of El Sawi Cultural Centre in Zamalek at 8:30 PM.

DON'S REVIEW - Youngho Kim at the Mohammed Ali Palace

This is the first of what I hope will be a long series of reviews kindly contributed to CLEG by Don Greenberg. His knowledge of music and mastery of prose are not only a valuable addition to the pages of this blog but a helpful tool for all readers, and I am very grateful to him.
All reviews will be collected under the label "Don's Reviews".


Kim Youngho’s Beethoven/Schumann piano recital of Sunday 18 October is the first of a three part piano recital series by the famed International Music Center of Cairo.

Normally held at the Manasterly Palace, now under renovation, the IMC series is now held at the Manial Palace on Rhoda island. Built for Prince Mohamed Ali, an uncle of King Farouk, the Manial palace is one of Cairo’s more eccentric tourist sites. It is closed now for renovation, which in Cairo can take years. So, you can only get access if you go to one of the IMC concerts, and a chance to see the Palace and the grounds is alone worth the price of admission (50 LE).

The Golden Hall, where the concerts are being held, is a really fantastic blend of European rococo with Moorish, Persian, and Ottoman features. If you arrive early, and can sort out the somewhat lackadaisical security guards, you can wander through the magnificent Planet gardens, full of rare plants collected by Prince Ali, and stroll under acres of banyan and palm trees.

Now, the music. Mr Youngho gave a technically masterful and impassioned interpretation of the beloved “Moonlight Sonata”, followed an equally lovely performance of the Beethoven’s “Waldstein “ sonata, one of Beethoven’s most challenging compositions. But the real treat of the evening was the Davidbundlertanze, a suite of 18 “dances” that showcase the lyrical and impetuous side of Schumann. The highly appreciative crowd demanded an encore, and was rewarded with a stellar rendition of Chopin’s Polonaise in A-flat major.

Mark your calendars for the 15 November concert by the Iranian/French pianist Nima Sarkechik, and for 13 December for Wang Jue from China. You may be able to buy tickets in advance at the Opera House, but better to call in advance. Try these numbers: 27357001/27354234/27352287 or 27370603/27350911/27390362. Mr. Youngho’s concert was full, but not sold out, so you can also just go early, get your tickets, and enjoy the Palace and its grounds.

Don

13th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Ismailia at the French Cultural Centre in Mounira

From tomorrow Monday, October 19 until Wednesday, October 21, 2009 a series of documentaries and short movies participating in the Ismailia International Festival will be screened at the French Cultural Centre in Mounira.
All movies subtitled in English. Screening starts at 7:00 PM.
For a full program of the evenings click here.

MARGARET MEAD TRAVELING FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL at AUC

In the frame of the Margaret Mead Traveling Film & Video Festival the movies "Peace with Seals" and "Don't Let It All Unravel" will be screened tomorrow, Sunday, October 18 2009 starting at 6:00 PM in the Oriental Hall of AUC Downtown Campus.
The event is free and open to all.

EGYPT ART ZONE 1st Art Exhibition

On Monday, October 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM will open the 1st EGYPT ART ZONE art exhibition featuring more than 50 artworks from 35 artists. The exhibition is sponsored by the ZAMALEK ART GALLERY and will run daily until October 29, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
The address is 35, Misr Helwan Agricultural Road - Maadi