Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
It was to the sound of a universal symphony that the 13th edition of the International Cultural Festival of Symphonic Music (FCIMS) opened on Friday evening at the Algiers Boualem-Bssaish Opera. Placed under the sign of friendship between Algeria and China, the opening evening transported the many present on a musical journey across continents, celebrating peace, culture and living together.
The Minister of Culture and Arts, Soraya Mouloudji, wanted to underline the symbolic significance of this event, which coincides with the International Day of Living Together in Peace, initiated by Algeria and adopted by the General Assembly of the Nations United. “This festival is an ode to peace, unity and the rapprochement of cultures,” she declared in her speech, inviting collective reflection on essential human values.
The minister wanted to welcome the presence of the many artists who came from all over the world to participate in the festival. “In its quest to promote art and creativity, our country, Algeria, has transformed itself into a capital of this musical genre, highly appreciated by all peoples of the world,” she said. .
Mouloudji also underlined the symbolic choice of the date of May 16 for the opening of the festival, which coincides with the International Day of Living Together in Peace, proposed by Algeria and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. “Through the celebration of this annual event, our country reaffirms its commitment, under the leadership of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to promote peace between the peoples of the world, to banish conflicts, wars and attacks against sovereignty and the security of other countries, convinced that culture and art are the best ambassadors of peace between nations,” she said.
The minister did not fail to launch a call for solidarity with the Palestinian people. “We call on all free peoples of the world to stand with the Palestinian people in the face of barbaric acts of aggression,” she urged. Mouloudji concluded his speech by thanking all festival participants, artists, organizers and partners. She also wished to express her particular gratitude to the People’s Republic of China which is present as guest of honor, in recognition of the privileged relations between Algeria and China.
For his part, Abdelkader Bouazara, curator of the Festival, declared that “we have the great pleasure of meeting you again and welcoming you to this building to give the “La” of this 13th edition of the Festival”. He retraced the history of the festival, emphasizing that it is the culmination of a long process of raising public awareness of universal music and the insertion of Algeria into this universe. “This great annual musical event, which remains a crossroads of culture and nations, invites you on a lyrical journey rich in melodies with the great names of symphonic music, until May 22,” he said. -he lets it be known.
The festival curator also revealed the program for this edition, which promises a week rich in emotions and musical discoveries. “During these 7 days, you will have the opportunity to contemplate the passage of major international orchestras and musical ensembles, from 14 countries, who will rock you through beautiful musical scores,” he said.
On the sidelines of the festival, the curatorship has also planned a series of master classes and conferences led by music masters. “These events will be an opportunity for music students and enthusiasts to perfect their knowledge and immerse themselves in the world of symphonic music,” said Bouazara.
An Algerian-Chinese symphony
The Algiers Opera Symphony Orchestra and the China Symphony Orchestra then set the tone on the opening night, offering a masterful performance that won over the audience. Under the direction of conductors Lotfi Saidi (Algeria) and Chen Xieyang (China), the two Orchestras performed a rich and varied program, composed of works by Algerian and Chinese composers, as well as great international classics.
The concert began with the Overture “The Force of Destiny” by Giuseppe Verdi, performed brilliantly by the Algiers Opera Symphony Orchestra. The evening then continued with Georges Bizet’s Farandole de l’Arlésienne, a piece full of life and energy performed by the China Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Chen Xieyang.
An Algerian-Chinese symbiosis
The audience also had the opportunity to appreciate the talents of several talented soloists. Mezzo-soprano Wen Muya dazzled the audience with her powerful and expressive voice in “Vissi d’Arte” by Giacomo Puccini and “O mio Babbino caro” from the opera Giani Schicchi. Tenor Tong Zhang shone in the duet “La Ci Darem La Mano” from the opera Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The concert continued with the famous “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff, performed by both orchestras. Under the baton of Lotfi Saidi, renowned tenor Abbas Righi lit up the stage. In a harmonious marriage between the captivating melodies of traditional Algerian music and the universal grandeur of the symphony, the audience was transported by the masterful interpretation of the symphonized Malouf. Among his performances, Abbas Righi captivated his audience with “Ya Ahl el Andalous”, “Achek Mamhoun”, and “Ana Lemdelel”.
Singer Asma Alla moved the Algerian public with her tribute to Palestine by performing the song “asbah andi el ane boundoukiya” (I now have a gun). At the end of the evening, several personalities from the musical world were honored. The two conductors, the tenor Abbas Righi, the Chinese soprano, the Algerian soprano Nadia Ben Abdellah, the choir director Zohir Mazari, as well as the composer Sid Ahmed Belli received an ovation from the public. The director of the Chinese orchestra was also thanked for his contribution to the success of this concert.