From celebrated guest artists to orchestral storytelling
Classical music lovers in Abu Dhabi have plenty to look forward to this month as the UAE National Orchestra prepares to bring its inaugural season to a close with an exciting celebration of music.
Since launching its first season, the UAE National Orchestra (UAENO) has been on a journey across the Emirates, blending Eastern and Western musical traditions through a series of ambitious performances.
From Faces of Love and Russian Classics to Vivaldi: A Journey East and Echoes of Time, the orchestra has established itself as a platform for cultural dialogue, reimagining familiar works through a distinctly regional lens.
Before the season concludes, audiences will also have the chance to experience one of classical music’s most evocative masterpieces.
Before the season reaches its finale, audiences can also look forward to An Evening with Conductor Xu Zhong on 8 June, a special performance celebrating cultural exchange through music.
The concert welcomes Xu Zhong, one of China’s most acclaimed conductors and pianists, for an evening that brings together musical traditions from different parts of the world.
Known for his international career and dynamic performances, Xu Zhong will lead the UAE National Orchestra in a programme that highlights the power of music to connect cultures, making it one of the standout events in the orchestra’s inaugural season.
On 21 June, the orchestra will present Scheherazade, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s celebrated orchestral suite inspired by the legendary tales of One Thousand and One Nights.
Rich with colour, drama and storytelling, the work remains one of the most beloved pieces in the classical repertoire.
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The season then reaches its grand finale with Rhythm Without Borders, a dynamic concert celebrating diversity through music.
Taking place in Abu Dhabi on 25 June at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, the performance promises an energetic journey across cultures, where jazz meets symphonic grandeur, Latin rhythms meet theatrical flair, and global classics intertwine with regional traditions.
In the second half of the concert, the focus turns closer to home, paying tribute to the UAE’s rich musical heritage.
Arabic and Western instruments come together on stage, creating a distinctive sound that reflects the orchestra’s mission of building bridges between traditions while embracing innovation.
The concert will also feature voices alongside the orchestra in a powerful celebration of identity, community and shared experience.
Designed as a joyful culmination of the season, Rhythm Without Borders aims to leave audiences with an uplifting reminder of music’s ability to connect people across cultures and generations.
For Abu Dhabi audiences, it is a rare opportunity to witness the conclusion of the orchestra’s landmark first season and experience a performance that brings together rhythm, harmony and storytelling in one unforgettable evening.
Programme for June
An Evening with Conductor Xu Zhong, 8 June, 2026 – The Arts Center at NYUAD
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, 21 June, 2026 – The Arts Center at NYUAD
Season Finale: Rhythm Without Borders, 25 June, 2026 – The Arts Center at NYUAD
For further information, visit ticketmaster.ae
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