The recent concert of Cairo Opera Orchestra at Al-Gomhouria Theatre, which featured the famous Egyptian guitarist Emad Hamdy was a great success. The German conductor Ernst Schelle prepared a programme of Spanish music. It was the same theatre where Hamdy made his first appearance with Cairo Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the late conductor Yussuf el-Sisi in 1988. Hamdy started his musical education in the Arabic Music Institute in Cairo, and got a diploma from Leonardo da Vin Institute in Cairo. He then pursued his studies in Royal Academy of Music in Britain. After his return to Egypt, he played a great role in promoting his instrument as a teacher and player. This recent concert is one of rare occasions on which he appeared as a soloist with the orchestra. The concert started with the overture of Juan Arriaga's opera Los esclavos Felices (The Happy Slaves). The second part of the programme featured the famous work of the French composer Emmanuel Chabrier, Espana, and the Estancia ballet suite op.8 of the Argentinean composer Alberto Ginastera. This is in addition to Danzn No. 2 of the Mexican composer Arturo Mrquez, and Astor Piazzolla's Tangazo. In all these works, it was clear that the orchestra had enough rehearsals which enabled the players to digest and express the musical characteristics of each piece. The performance of string instruments in Tangazo was outstanding, especially in the introductory theme. In Danzn No. 2, the clarinetist and oboe players performed the melodic sentences in a beautifully smooth way. In Gianstera's Estancia, the piccolo in the last dance was great. The principal work of the concert was Roderigo's celebrated guitar concerto known as the Aranjuez. This was the second time for Hamdy to play this concerto with the orchestra. This time his interpretation was more able and mature. He paid much attention to the technical details and showed a great deal of understanding of the expressive dimensions of this great work. The first movement with its vivid tunes was a real joy for the audience. Here Hamdy excelled in playing the Spanish Fandango rhythm. The beautiful dialogue between the guitar and the English horn was very expressive. Moreover, Hamdy's charisma on the stage contributed to the success of the concert. Schelle, on the other hand, controlled the orchestra well and achieved the required balance between different instrumental sections and the soloist. The outcome was wonderful. The audience enjoyed an unforgettable Spanish music night. [email protected]
