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The Mediterranean region has long been a major cradle of human civilisations. It has also played an important role in the cultural development in surroounding lands.
Now people in Hong Kong will have an opportunity to discover for themselves the enchanting world of Mediterranean music, dance, sound and colour.
The Mediterranean Arts Festival, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will run from October 19 to November 18, showcasing rich and diverse cultures of the Mediterranean region, ranging from the Concert of Italian Carnival Music, Italian Commedia dell¡¦Arte to mystical Islamic heritage.
Tickets for early bird programmes of the Festival are available from tomorrow (July 27) at URBTIX outlets. These programmes include the opening performance: an Italian Carnival Music "The Italian Feast" by Balthasar Neumann Choir and Ensemble (Germany) with performers in beautiful costumes and masks to play early Baroque music; commedia dell'arte masterpiece "Arlecchino, Servant of Two Masters" by Piccolo Teatro di Milano featuring renowned actor Ferruccio Soleri; the mystical Islamic heritage "The Whirling Dervishes: A Sacred Ritual" by Istanbul Music & Sema Group; fado diva Cristina Branco's concert; a concert between vocal Flamenco diva Carmen Linares and prince Miguel Poveda; "Musical Heritage of the Mediterranean" by En Chordais Ensemble.
Other programmes include "Prometheus Bound" by National Theatre of Greece; "Gala Flamenca ¡V Yesterday, Today and Always" (Spain); Belly Dance with Gypsy musicians (Egypt); "He Hui returns" by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra; music programmes by Dhafer Youssef (Tunisia) and Hassan Boussou (Morocco). Tickets will be sold at the URBTIX from September 7.
Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Group booking discounts of up to 20% are available.
Early Bird Programme leaflets are now available at URBTIX outlets or at the website www.medifestival.gov.hk
For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. Telephone reservations can be made on 2734 9009 (from July 28) and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk
Ends/Thursday, July 26, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:23
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