CAIRO: Egypt has hosted the Bolshoi Ballet, heard Dizzy Gillepsie, and watched the Royal Shakespeare Company, but until last night, it had never experienced the impeccable sounds of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). Rounding off their 60th anniversary, the RPO presented the first of three local concert performances at the Cairo Opera House, featuring Egypt's very own star pianist Ramzi Yassa, winner of multiple international awards, and Artistic Director of the International Music Center at Cairo Manesterly Palace. Conducting the three performances is Grammy Award-winner Leonard Slatkin, music director of the National Symphony Orchestra and principle guest conductor of the RPO and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Proceeds are to go to the Children's Cancer Hospital and the Abou El Rish Hospital. Tonight's program includes a Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka overture, a Brahms symphony, and a Chopin piano concerto, featuring accomplished Egyptian piano soloist Ahmed Abou-Zahra. Be sure to read our review of the performance can be found in tomorrow's edition of The Daily Star Egypt. The RPO will also be performing Feb. 1 at the Alexandria Opera House. Ticket prices are LE 250, LE 200 and LE 100. For more information call the Cairo Opera House at (02) 739-8114 or the Alexandria Opera House at (03) 480-0092.
