In 2013, the Al-Bustan festival in Lebanon celebrates its 20th anniversary. The founders of the cultural event wished to revive the cultural life of a country emerging from 17 years of war. Since it was launched by Myrna Bustani in 1993, the festival has certainly achieved this objective, welcoming hundreds of local and international musicians and performers over the past 20 years. This year the festival will run from February 19-March 27.
Each year, the festival chooses a theme and uses performances of chamber music, opera, orchestral concerts, choral concerts, dance, marionettes and theatre to showcase and celebrate that theme. The 2013 festival is entitled ‘This World Needs Music’ and will celebrate Verdi and Wagner. The Heikon Opera Company will interpret the musical comedy A Ban on Love and Peter Conrad will give lectures that will highlight the importance of both composers in the classical repertoire.
Music director Gianluca Marciano said that he was proud to be part of this event, as it ‘presents to the Lebanese people something of a really high level.’ Marciano explained that one of the objectives of this year’s festival is to ‘propose future stars’.
The festival will open with a concert featuring Italian violinist Anna Tifu and Russian cellist Boris Andrianow, who will be accompanied by Al-Bustan Festival Orchestra and Pan European Philharmonia Orchestra, under the baton of Marciano.
One of the notable future stars performing at the festival is UK vocal ensemble Stile Antico, who has toured many times with pop vocalist Sting, and will perform at Jbeil’s Church of St John. Other highlights include the eight-voice all-female Geghard Choir, the MoZuluArt men’s ensemble, another all-male choir the Mezwej Ensemble, and pianist Oliver Poole. Performances will be inspired by a range of different cultural influences, and will provide modern interpretations of the classics.
Festival Al-Bustan will be staged in various venues around Lebanon from February 19 to March 27.
