Recital Series: Fatima Al Hashimi and Ina Chareli at Abu Dhabi Festival 2026

Experience East meets West with Fatima Al Hashimi at Abu Dhabi Festival 2026.

Emirati soprano Fatima Al Hashimi, whose voice combines warmth with lyrical radiance, is joined by pianist Ina Chareli in a programme that travels from the great opera houses of Italy, France and Bohemia to the golden age of Arabic song.

Beloved arias by Puccini, Bizet, Dvořák, Cilea and Catalani sit alongside Farid al-Atrash’s Ya Zahratan fi Khayali, Poulenc’s nostalgic Parisian waltz, the Neapolitan sunshine of ‘O sole mio, the Latin warmth of Bésame mucho and the Viennese glamour of Lehár.

At the heart of each half, Ina Chareli takes the stage alone with Romantic piano masterpieces, including transcriptions of works by Glinka and Schumann, alongside compositions by Liszt and Chopin.

Alternating tender, reflective moments with vibrant, expressive ones, the evening celebrates the many languages of love – in song and at the keyboard.

Programme

Giacomo Puccini(1858–1924) O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi (1918) Farid al-Atrash(1910–1974) Ya Zahratan fi Khayali – يا زهرة في خيالي Georges Bizet(1838–1875) Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante (Micaëla's aria from Carmen, Act III, 1875) Mikhail Glinka (1804–1857) / Mily Balakirev (1837–1910 The Lark (L'Alouette) from A Farewell to Saint Petersburg, transcribed for piano by Balakirev (piano solo) Robert Schumann (1810–1856) / Franz Liszt (1811–1886) Widmung from Myrthen, Op. 25 (Schumann), transcribed for piano by Liszt, S. 566 (piano solo) Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) Song to the Moon (Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém) from Rusalka, Op. 114, Act I (1901) Francis Poulenc (1899–1963) Les chemins de l’amour (1940) INTERMISSION Francesco Cilea (1866–1950) Io son l'umile ancella from Adriana Lecouvreur, Act I (1902) Eduardo di Capua (1865–1917) / Alfredo Mazzucchi (1878–1972) ‘O sole mio (1898) Franz Liszt (1811–1886) Liebestraum No. 3 in A-flat major, S. 541 (piano solo) Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849) Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 (piano solo) Consuelo Velázquez (1916–2005) Bésame mucho (1940) Alfredo Catalani (1854–1893) Ebben? Ne andrò lontana from La Wally, Act I (1892) Franz Lehár (1870–1948) Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiß from Giuditta, Act IV (1934)

About the Artists

Fatima Al Hashimi A distinguished Emirati opera singer, Fatima Al Hashimi is recognised for her significant contributions to the UAE’s cultural landscape. She has performed internationally at prestigious venues including the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and Enescu Hall in Bucharest, collaborating with renowned orchestras and representing the UAE at diplomatic and cultural events. With a background in performing arts management, Al Hashimi is committed to bridging performance, education and research. A leading figure in the UAE’s music scene, she inspires the next generation by demonstrating the viability and impact of a career in music, while championing artistic excellence and cultural education. She has performed in more than 20 languages across Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, and continues to advocate for the global visibility of Emirati talent. As a cultural ambassador and role model, Al Hashimi is dedicated to shaping the future of music in the UAE through performance, mentorship and academic research. She is an artist-in-residence at the American University of Sharjah and a founding member of the Emirati Musicians Association. Ina Chareli‍ Pianist Ina Chareli (Ina Charuashvili) is recognised for her expressive artistry, refined musicianship and distinguished international career spanning Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Born in Georgia into a family with deep musical roots, she displayed exceptional talent from an early age and was admitted to the renowned Zakaria Paliashvili Central Music School for Gifted Children in Tbilisi. At the age of seven, she made her orchestral debut with the Georgian National Orchestra, marking the beginning of a performing career that would lead her to prestigious concert stages around the world. She

Event Policies & Information

• Early Arrival: Please arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before the start of the performance to ensure a smooth experience. • Seating: Please remain in your assigned seat as indicated on your ticket. • Timely Attendance Clause: If you do not arrive before the show begins, the organizers reserve the right to release and reassign your seat to accommodate other guests. • Late Arrival Policy: Guests arriving late will be admitted only during a break/interval (if applicable). Original seats are not guaranteed, and an alternative seat may be offered, subject to availability. • Camera Policy: The use of mobile phones, cameras, and recording devices is strictly prohibited. Phones must be kept on silent. No photography is allowed inside the theatre during the performance. • Liability Disclaimer: The organizers are not responsible for any injuries, illnesses, fatalities, or loss/damage to personal belongings related to or arising from the event. Attendance is at your own risk. • Media Consent: By attending the event, you consent to the recording of your image and/or voice, which may be used online or offline for promotional and archival purposes. • Event Information: It is your responsibility to verify the event date, time, location, and age restrictions before attending. Please plan to arrive early to avoid any inconvenience. • Latecomer Policy: Latecomers may be denied entry, with no eligibility for ticket refunds, exchanges, or compensation. Please arrive on time to ensure an uninterrupted experience. • Security Inspection: Security personnel may inspect attendees and their belongings upon entry. Dangerous or prohibited items will be confiscated for the safety of all participants. • Code of Conduct: All attendees must follow a code of conduct that promotes public decen

How to get there

By car: There are many ways to reach your destination, including driving northwest on 8th Street through Sheikh Zayed Tunnel, continuing via Mina Zayed Tunnel onto Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, and taking the exit toward Jacques Chirac Street before turning right and left. GPS navigation is highly advised. By public transportation: For the shortest walking distance, take buses 94 and AR2 to the Jacques Chirac St / Team Lab Phenomena Abu Dhabi bus stop, followed by a minute's walk. By taxi: You can easily reach your destination by taking a taxi or by using a ride-hailing app.