Performing together with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Rieder, Jonas Kaufmann set to take the Opera House stage on February 29th Doha, February 25th, 2012: Katara, the Cultural Village, presents Jonas Kaufmann and Maestro Rieder in a rare performance on 29th February at 8pm, at the indoor Opera House, Building 16, Katara. While the concert was planned to take place at the open air amphitheatre, Katara has made the decision to move the concert indoors to the Opera House, due to the weather forecast indicating a windy and cloudy week ahead. Taking place on 29th February at 8pm, tickets can still be purchased from Virgin Mega Stores. Customers who have already bought tickets will be allocated the best Opera House seating to ensure they enjoy an exclusive and rewarding experience. For any questions regarding the seating arrangements, customers can call 4408 0978. Dr. Emad Sultan, Cultural Affairs Director said, “We are bringing the best of music and cultures under one roof and are proud to host Jonas Kaufmann and Maestro Rieder in our world class facilities. Katara continues to provide a platform for aspiring artists and musicians as well as introducing Qatar to world renowned talents. This initiative contributes to the overall vision to educate and entertain whilst building cultural bridges.” Jonas Kaufmann is recognized internationally as one of the most important artists of our day, and has received the highest acclaim in the world’s greatest opera houses, on the concert platform, and in recital. Commanding an unusually wide repertoire of varying periods, styles and languages, Kaufmann’s debut as Lohengrin in Munich’s new production were met with the highest critical and public acclaim, as were his first performances of Massenet’s Werther in 2010 at the Paris Opera. He has since sung Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, La Scala, Milan, Deutsche Oper Berlin, as well as in Munich and Zurich. German conductor Jochen Rieder began his professional career at the Badisches Staastheater in Karlsruhe, as well at the Bremen Opera. He collaborated with the Opernhaus Zurich and worked with the Theatre du Chatelet, and the Opera National in Paris. Rieder recently conducted Rachminanov’s Symphony Number 2 with the Hofer Symphoniker. In Zurich he joined the Zurich Kammerorchester for the premiere and recording of Schacher’s Die Wilden Scwaene. Katara, the Cultural Village hosted Kaufmann’s fellow musicians Maestro Daniel Barenboim and Soprano Angela Gheorghiu who played at the spectacular grand opening of the Amphitheatre with world renowned Greek composer Vangelis. Tickets are available at the Virgin Megastore during store operating hours (from 9:30am – 12midnight) at both Landmark and Villaggio outlets. They can also be purchased online at www.virginmegastore.me.

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