At the forefront of music, art and culture, the prestigious Al Bustan International Festival makes its grand return from February 26 to March 23, 2025. Join us as we delve into its exceptional lineup of performances.
The Al Bustan International Festival kicks off on Wednesday 26 February at 8:30 PM with a spectacular opening night, “Carte Blanche to Boris.” Renowned pianist Boris Berezovsky takes center stage, delivering a mesmerizing program featuring Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies. The evening continues with Beethoven’s iconic Piano Sonata known as Waldstein or Aurora, promising a night of virtuosity and musical brilliance.
The festival continues with Lebanon in a Song on Sunday, March 2, and Monday, March 3, at 8:30 PM. Featuring Soumaya Baalbaki as a guest performer, the Notre Dame University Choir, and The Lubnan Baalbaki Ensemble, this event celebrates Lebanon through traditional songs. Under the direction of conductor Lubnan Baalbaki and choir master Père Khalil Rahmé, with Georges Khabbaz as the director, the performance promises a captivating evening filled with cherished melodies celebrating Lebanon’s rich cultural heritage.
On Saturday 8 March, “La Tragédie de Carmen,” a captivating adaptation of Bizet’s iconic opera Carmen, will feature the exceptional Anita Rachvelishvili as Carmen, Eduardo Niave as Don José, Maria Zapata as Micaela and Gabriel Alonso as Escamillo, this performance promises a powerful and emotionally charged interpretation. Accompanied by The Al Bustan Festival Ensemble and conducted by Gianluca Marcianò, the evening will bring to life the passion and drama of this timeless masterpiece.
Saturday 15 March brings “Via Crucis by Liszt,” a profound musical journey through The Way of the Cross and its fourteen stations. Featuring baritone Gabriel Alonso and pianist Abdel Rahman El Bacha, the performance will be elevated by the Notre Dame University Choir under the direction of choir master Père Khalil Rahmé. Conducted by Gianluca Marcianò, this deeply moving interpretation promises a spiritually enriching experience through Liszt’s evocative composition.
The festival concludes with “Vive la France! Vive le Liban!” on Sunday 23 March. Featuring L’Orchestre à Cordes de la Garde Républicaine Française, the evening celebrates the musical ties between France and Lebanon. Accompanied by acclaimed accordionist Félicien Brut and conducted by Bastien Stil, this spectacular closing performance promises a night of elegance, harmony, and cultural tribute.
The full program for the Al Bustan International Festival can be found on Al Bustan Festival | Program 2025. Tickets are also available at Librairie Antoine branches.
If you liked reading this, check our interview with Guy Manoukian.
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