Portrait Carlos Acosta -Angela Taylor.
Abu Dhabi - A novella published in April 1943, The Little Prince is one of the most cherished books of all times.
Published: Mon 4 Apr 2016, 6:06 PM
Last updated: Mon 4 Apr 2016, 8:12 PM
"Goodbye," said the fox. "Here is my secret. It's quite simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.... It's the time that you spent on your rose that makes your rose so important.... People have forgotten this truth."
This is one of the stand-out quotations from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince, largely summarising the philosophy behind the story - one of the greatest ever written -- and narrated, for the first time in Abu Dhabi this April by another great, the British actor Hugh Grant.
A novella published in April 1943, The Little Prince is one of the most cherished books of all times, selling over 140 million copies worldwide and translated into 250 languages and dialects. Full of symbolism and philosophy, it tells the story of a lost pilot in the middle of the desert, where he encounters a young prince from a distant asteroid, who tells him the story of life among stars.
At the festival
French songs by Natalie Dessay and Laurent Naouri on April 10
Chinese pianist to present concert of Tchaikovsky, Bach and Chopin on April 14
Paris Orchestra to have Arabian Gulf debut on April 15 and 17
The Little Prince will have two performances at the Emirates Palace, on April 21 and 22. |
Part of the main programme of the 13th Abu Dhabi Festival (ADF), running until the end of April, the Little Prince to be presented here will be Nick Lloyd Webber and James D Reid's musical production involving an orchestra of 40 musicians and 13 singers.
Making its Arab world debut at the Emirates Palace auditorium, the musical production will be narrated, for the first time ever, by Hugh Grant, who will tell the story live on stage.
"We're delighted to welcome Hugh on board for the concert performances of The Little Prince at the Abu Dhabi Festival 2016 and are looking forward to working with him in April," said in a statement from the two producers - Webber and Reid.
A Golden Globe winner, Hugh Grant's numerous internationally successful film credits include Four Weddings and A Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones' Diary, About a Boy and Love Actually. The Little Prince will be his first stage appearance in Abu Dhabi.
The musical will have two performances at the Emirates Palace, on April 21 and 22
Other highlights
Other highlights of the ongoing ADF, which just started this week in Abu Dhabi includes a recital of quintessentially French songs by soprano Natalie Dessay and baritone Laurent Naouri on April 10, celebrating France as the country of honour at the festival this year.
Heralded by international critics as the "hottest artist on the classical music planet", Chinese pianist will present a concert here of Tchaikovsky, Bach and Chopin on April 14, while the Paris Orchestra will have its Arabian Gulf debut at ADF on April 15 and 17.
Carlos Acosta and Friends is another nutcracking performance at ADF this year. One of the most famous and recognisable ballet stars in the world, Acosta has an unparalleled career stretching over two decades. From humble beginnings in Cuba to performing on some of the world's biggest stages, he has taken some of ballet's most iconic roles, from Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake to the Prince in the Nutcracker.
This year, jazz is back at ADF with two performances, the Joey Alexander Trio and Alfredo Rodríguez Trio, both at New York University Abu Dhabi Arts Centre.
"This edition of the festival is particularly special for me, as this year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). Since its inception, ADMAF has been at the forefront of the UAE's cultural sector through its array of cultural initiatives - one of which is the annual Abu Dhabi Festival," said Hoda Al Khamis-Kanoo, founder of ADMAF, which organises ADF.
"Over the past 20 years, I have seen the cultural landscape of the UAE transform from a blossoming hub to a hotbed of creativity. This is why the festival is calling upon the people of the UAE to make a pledge for culture to ensure that our society continues to flourish," she added.
The theme of ADF 2016 calls upon the people of the UAE to make a Pledge for Culture by enjoying the festival's variety of cultural events, along with the UAE's broader year-round calendar of culture.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com
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