Alexandra Miteran: “The purpose of music is to touch hearts”

The 13th edition of the International Music Festival InClassica took place in Dubai from February 1st to 15th, 2024 and demonstrated an extraordinary musical odyssey, uniting musicians from all corners of the world in the heart of Dubai. This annual celebration, organised by SAMIT Event Group, transformed the Dubai Opera into a paradise for classical music lovers, offering over two weeks of unprecedented performances by talented artists. Embracing the festival's ethos of presenting the finest musical works, InClassica 2024 showcased pieces ranging from the timeless compositions of Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to contemporary offerings by Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor. We met with the founder and the CEO of SAMIT Event Group, Alexandra Miteran, discussing the main cultural event in the UAE.

Alexandra, please tell us about the 13th InClassica Music Festival. What makes it unique?

Throughout the two weeks of February, Dubai became a hub for the music community, hosting grand concerts and other cultural events. In previous years, the festival lasted for a month at the prestigious concert venue, the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. In 2024, we held the InClassica Music Festival in the heart of the city - at the Dubai Opera.

The uniqueness of the project lies in the fact that it takes place in one location for 2-4 weeks. Classical music enthusiasts specifically travel to Dubai to attend multiple events. The festival provides a unique opportunity to witness performances by top maestros, soloists, and orchestras, making InClassica 2024 an unforgettable celebration of classical music in a luxurious setting.

What classical pieces were performed during the 13th season of the festival?

Starting from timeless compositions by Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and ending with contemporary works by composer Alexey Shor. The halls of the Dubai Opera echoed with melodies by Ludwig van Beethoven, Camille Saint-Saëns, Max Bruch, Edward Elgar, Bedřich Smetana, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn, Antonín Dvořák, Gioachino Rossini, and many others.

How many musicians participated in InClassica 2024?

This year, the festival presented a rich program, bringing together musicians from all over the world. The stellar lineup included 17 globally renowned soloists, including violinists, pianists, and cellists. Among them were Maxim Vengerov (Monaco), Stella Chen (USA), Marc Bouchkov (Belgium), Fazıl Say (Turkey), Behzod Abduraimov (Uzbekistan), Frank Braley (France), and many others. These maestros were joined by the famous Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of renowned conductors.

Musical preferences of listeners are constantly changing. Does this affect the classical music industry? What is the Dubai audience's reaction to such events?

The classical music industry is less susceptible to changes. I believe it is time for Dubai to become one of the centres of classical and cultural music in various genres. Events of this magnitude have never been held in the emirate before with such a large number of renowned musicians. It is noteworthy that the interest of local residents in classical works is steadily growing. And we are doing everything possible to attract as many people as possible to art, to let music touch their hearts. Among the audience, there are also many Europeans, Russians, and residents of other CIS countries.

Do you plan to hold similar festivals in other Middle Eastern countries: Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia?

We are considering such a possibility and are open to cooperation. Given our extensive experience in organising cultural events, we will certainly contribute to the promotion of similar cultural events in other countries in the region. We already organise annual events for the Ministries of Culture in the Middle East, such as the Opera Festival in Riyadh, the Mountain Dance Festival in Saudi Arabia, and the ballet "Thousand Tales" in Bahrain.

We wish you success and thank you for the interesting conversation!