Stage set for Oscar Della Lirica at Katara

Italian artiste Elizabeth and Katara's al-Shibany speak about the International Opera and Classical Music Awards (Oscar Della Lirica) to be held in Doha on Friday. PICTURE: Jayaram.

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

World-famous artistes and musicians will take centre stage on Friday at the amphitheatre of Katara – the Cultural Village for the much-awaited fourth edition of the International Opera and Classical Music Awards (Oscar Della Lirica).

Being held outside Italy for the first time, the prestigious event also welcomes the previous winners who will join this year’s performers.

These include renowned musicians such as - opera director Damiano Michieletto, baritone Alberto Gazale, bass Ferruccio Fulaneto and Tenor Francesco Meli.

Visitors and guests will see more than 100 musicians from Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra performing with other international music groups.

Katara's Manager of Marketing and International Relations and chairman of the event's organising committee, Darwish Saleh al-Shibany, said on Thursday that it is their responsibility to host different types of artistic performances.

“It is not only limited to one. It is also our responsibility to look for talents, building their capacities locally,” he noted.

Al-Shibany announced that they will honour Qatari musician Abdulaziz Nasser Ahmed Obeidan, who composed the country's national anthem.

Addressing the media, two of the Italian mezzo soprano singers said they were overwhelmed with the venue citing its “grand artistic beauty and elegance.”

“It was kind of a dream to come to this part of the world,” noted Chiara Amaru. She believes that organisers have chosen the best place to stage such a world-class event.

Elizabeth echoed the statement of Amaru saying that Katara has the facilities to hold Oscar Della Lirica and other international events. Given the opportunity, she expressed willingness to perform again in Doha.

While opera music is popular in Europe especially in Italy, Elizabeth is confident that it will also capture the hearts of the people in the Arab world.

“I like the melody of Arabic music, it is very close to me, just like Italian Opera,” she noted, adding that her performance in Cairo, Egypt (twice) is something she will always remember.

She also observed that many of the young people in this country have quality voices capable of pursuing opera music. “You will never know, one of these days you will discover some talented individuals and we can work together to train them,” she said.

Award categories include Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Mezzo-Soprano, Bass, Contralto, Conductor, Orchestra, Choir, Costume Designer, Corps de ballet, Director and Set Designer.

A number of special awards would also be given in memory of some of the legends of the opera arts.

Proceeds of the event will go to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for humanitarian relief.