A Musical Extravaganza Uniting Cultures: Maestro Riccardo Muti and Cherubini Orchestra to Perform in Jordan
Get ready for a breathtaking musical experience as Maestro Riccardo Muti takes the stage alongside the Cherubini Orchestra in Jordan. This extraordinary concert, organized by the Jordan Italian Forum for Cooperation (JIFCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Jordan Tourism Board, promises an unforgettable evening on July 9, 2023, set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the historic Jerash Amphitheatre.
As part of the renowned Ravenna Festival’s Roads of Friendship project, aimed at fostering camaraderie and communication through music, this concert will feature young Jordanian musicians joining forces with the talented Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra. Together, they will mesmerize the audience with a captivating performance, including the second act from Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice, enchanting arias and choirs from Bellini’s Norma (including the iconic ‘Casta diva’), and Brahms’s Schicksalslied. A total of 200 Italian and Jordanian musicians will be under Maestro Muti’s masterful direction, with additional performances scheduled in Ravenna (July 7) and Pompeii (July 11). This unique musical journey links two once-buried cities, Ravenna and Pompeii, with Jordan, creating a bond through their shared Roman past. Ravenna, chosen by Emperor Augustus for his Eastern Mediterranean fleet, serves as the connecting thread that intertwines these ancient civilizations.
Since 1997, the Ravenna Festival’s Roads of Friendship pilgrimage has been a testament to its commitment to visiting places of historical significance. This year, the Roads of Friendship lead us to Jordan, a country that not only provides crucial support to refugee camps within its borders in collaboration with the UNHCR and international organizations but also integrates many refugees into its communities. The concert in Jerash, known as the ‘Pompeii of the East,’ pays homage to this admirable spirit of brotherhood, offering both the Jordanian community and music enthusiasts from around the world a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Italian press, invited by the Ravenna Festival, will provide extensive coverage of this remarkable event, showcasing Jordan’s rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty to a global audience.
In addition to the concert, the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts will host a joint mosaic exhibition featuring the works of young artists from Ravenna and Madaba, opening on July 3, 2023. This exhibition will serve as a platform to showcase the cultural backgrounds and artistic talents of these emerging artists. After its debut in Jordan, the exhibition will travel to Ravenna and be featured in the Biennale exhibit in October 2023. To further promote cultural exchange, JIFCO is organizing a cultural tour of Jordan during the first week of July, which will include a concert at the enchanting city of Petra and the Amman Amphitheatre. Collaboration with international tour operators and travel agents is underway to ensure widespread promotion of this exciting tour.
The partnership between JIFCO, the Ministry of Culture, and the Jordan Tourism Board exemplifies Jordan’s dedication to fostering cultural exchange and promoting tourism. Supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which is actively strengthening cultural ties between Italy and Jordan by establishing a new Italian Cultural Institute in Amman, this concert in Jerash receives assistance from the Italian Embassy in Amman and the Emilia-Romagna Region.
- Event Organizer: JIFCO, Jordanian Italian Forum for Cooperation
