Abu Dhabi Festival And Apostolic Nunciature Present Arab World Premiere Of Sistine Chapel Choir At Abrahamic Family House

Abu Dhabi Festival 2024 and The Apostolic Nunciature to the UAE recently hosted a momentous concert by the Sistine Chapel Choir on May 30, 2024. The concert, held at St. Francis Church in the Abrahamic Family House, marked the Arab world premiere of this renowned choir, creating an unforgettable evening for all attendees.Under the Honorary Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Founding Honorary Patron of Abu Dhabi Festival, and under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the concert was attended by several esteemed guests including Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, and Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi.The Sistine Chapel Choir is widely recognized as a symbol of musical excellence and spiritual devotion. With a legacy spanning over 1500 years, it is considered the oldest continuously operating choir in the world. The choir's esteemed history is rooted in the Renaissance era and encompasses the contributions of legendary composers and musicians such as Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Gregorio Allegri.Under the guidance of Monsignor Marcos Pavan, the Choir serves as a beacon of sacred music, enriching liturgical celebrations in service to His Holiness The Pope. Through its transcendent performances, the Choir embodies timeless values of peace, harmony, and human fraternity.The concert by the Sistine Chapel Choir holds profound significance in fostering cultural exchange and dialogue. By highlighting the power of music as a universal language, this historic event exemplified the Abu Dhabi Festival's commitment to promoting intercultural understanding and collaboration.The concert took place at St. Francis Church, located in the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island. The Abrahamic Family House serves as a center for learning, dialogue, and the practice of faith, rooted in the UAE's values of bringing people and cultures together. Since its inauguration in 2023, the Abrahamic Family House has hosted a diverse series of events and initiatives that facilitate meaningful encounters, and its three remarkable Houses of Worship have become home to active communities.Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, expressed her excitement about the concert. She emphasized the significance of cultural exchange and understanding between civilizations, highlighting the Choir's symbolic importance for the Church and its tradition of sacred music.Alkhamis-Kanoo further emphasized that hosting the Sistine Chapel Choir in Abu Dhabi underscores the UAE's belief in shared human values and the importance of fostering deep cultural relations between the UAE and the Holy See. She reaffirmed their commitment to music as a universal language by showcasing masterpieces from renowned composers.Archbishop Christophe El-Kassis, the Ambassador of the Holy See to the United Arab Emirates, also known as the Apostolic Nuncio, highlighted the close relations between the Holy See and the UAE. He emphasized their shared commitment to enhancing cultural diplomatic relations and promoting the status of arts in cultural dialogue. El-Kassis noted that this concert marked a significant historical milestone in their efforts to consolidate the principles of human fraternity.El-Kassis further emphasized that music and art serve as a universal language, bridging communication and dialogue between cultures. Through the concert of the Sistine Chapel Choir, they aim to build a better future for every human being, regardless of their culture or creed. The Abu Dhabi Festival and the Sistine Choir play a significant role in fostering closer connections among people and celebrating human fraternity, principles of coexistence, openness, and respect for others.Monsignor Marcos Pavan, in his comment, described the concert as a historic moment in the Middle East. He highlighted the significance of the Sistine Chapel Choir's performance in Abu Dhabi, which embodies the UAE's values of peaceful coexistence, promoting diversity and dialogue.The concert by the Sistine Chapel Choir was an unforgettable experience that united audiences in a celebration of shared heritage and collective aspirations. It showcased the power of music to transcend boundaries and foster understanding among diverse cultures.

With inputs from WAM