QPO's Cinemoon Ensemble Returns To Turkiye For Summer Concert Series

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Joelyn Baluyut | The Peninsula

Kuşadası, Turkiye: The CineMoon Ensemble, a member of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO), returns to Turkiye's picturesque western Aegean coast for the annual Guvercinada Dinletileri. This summer concert series is set against the backdrop of the historic Kervansaray in Kuşadası.

Merve Kenet Bulun, the Founder and Artistic Director of the CineMoon Ensemble, shared her excitement with The Peninsula: "Guvercinada Dinletileri (Pigeon Island Concerts) is a concert series organised by the KUSAV Foundation with the support of Kuşadası Municipality. This year, we are honoured that our concerts have been given a special title, 'CineMoon Days.'"

The ensemble is set to perform three concerts, beginning with Dana Al Fardan's "Indigo" today, July 7, followed by "Oldies Goldies" on July 11, and concluding with "Moon Meets the Stars" on July 14.

Bulun expressed her enthusiasm for the series' opening concert: "I am very happy and excited to have the opportunity to start our CineMoon Days with Dana Al Fardan, the first female Qatari composer, songwriter and singer. Dana and the CineMoon Ensemble will introduce "Indigo album" under the baton of Conductor Giovanni Pasini, for the first time in Turkiye, to Turkish audience. She will perform with us as well.”

She said that this cultural exchange is a beautiful opportunity to share a part of Qatari culture with her home country.

The excitement for the "Indigo" concert is palpable, with KUSAV announcing that tickets have already sold out. This year marks the third consecutive year that the CineMoon Ensemble is performing in Kuşadası, and it promises to be their most ambitious series yet, featuring over 20 musicians.

The upcoming concerts will see the ensemble collaborate with renowned soloists from Qatar, Turkiye, and France, as well as orchestra members from İzmir State Opera and Ballet, Antalya Opera, and the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in Ankara. Bulun describes the ensemble as a "beautiful mosaic" of cultures, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its musicians.

The second concert, "Oldies Goldies," scheduled for July 11, will feature soloists Murat Duyan, Lorena Manescu, Pauel Gette on percussion, Melisa Yenal as coloratura soprano, and Eylül Elif Arslan, a mezzo-soprano and presenter. The programme will include the first film music ever written by Saint-Saëns for the film "Assassination of the Duke of Guise," accompanied by live movie screenings of Charlie Chaplin films, all visual designs were made by Suleyman Bulun.

Moreover, the Creative Director and Founder emphasised the unique nature of the concert: "This will be a programme unlike any other, blending classic film music with live performance.”

The final concert, "Moon Meets the Stars," on July 14, will bring together the world-renowned French soprano Fabienne Conrad and baritone Murat Duyan, a soloist from the İzmir State Opera and Ballet. This performance will take place in the enchanting setting of the Kervansaray, a historic building dating back to the 17th century.

Bulun concluded with a heartfelt invitation: We are your music ensemble, CineMoon, a proud member of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, born and raised in Qatar. You are so welcome to attend our concerts in Qatar and abroad. And we need more art in the world to make it more beautiful, to be connected in a beautiful way with people's hearts.”

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