DOHA: Qatari composer Abdulaziz Nasser Al Obaidan will be among those to be honoured at the fourth edition of Oscar Della Lirica — international opera and classical music awards — which will be hosted in the Middle East for the first time.
Al Obaidan will receive a special award at the ceremony at Katara Amphitheatre on December 12 at 9pm. Known for composing Qatar National Anthem, Al Obaidan will be honoured for his outstanding contribution to enhancing the music scene in the country and the discovery of Qatari talents in music and theatre. His music covered issues of national and regional appeal and received accolades at music festivals, including awards in Egypt in 2001 and 2004 and a state award in the field of music in 2006. A member of the board of trustees of Qatar Music Academy, Al Obaidan is also Qatar’s representative to the Executive Council of Arab Academy of Music.
Katara, in collaboration with Verona per l’Arena Foundation, is hosting the event to further encourage international cultural exchange and partnerships.
Katara General Manager Dr Khalid Ibrahim Al Sulaiti said the event will shift world attention to Katara and encourage the development of cultural and economic investment in the country.
An initiative by well-known Italian artist and manager Alfredo Troisi, the ceremony has been held in Italy. Its first edition took place in 2010 at Verona Arena, the second at Grande Puccini Open Theatre in 2012 and the third at The Municipal Theatre of Bologna in 2013.
The award categories include Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Mezzo-Soprano, Bass, Contralto, Conductor, Orchestra, Choir, Corps de ballet, Costume Designer, Director and Set Designer.
The event introduces internationally renowned artists to spectators of the region such as Oscar winner artists opera director Damiano Michieletto, baritone Alberto Gazale, bass Ferruccio Fulaneto, Tenor Francesco Meli, conductor music director Gustavo Dudamel, set designer Lorenzo Cutùli, soprano Marina Agresta and Mezzosoprano Marianna Pizzolato.
Enrico Stinchelli will be the master of ceremony, Elisabetta Maschio the maestro, Carla Bossi, Daniela Traldi and Shigeaki Saegusa the juries with guest stars Antonio Forcione, Dimitra Theodossiou, Elisabetta Fiorillo, Chiara Amaru, Gregory Kunde and new generation artists such as opera prize winner Samantha Sapienza and youngest Italian Opera Tenor Vicenzo Costanzo. The Peninsula
