ROHM to Present Exciting Concert Featuring
Pipe Organ

Muscat, 12 Feb (ONA) — Music
lovers in Muscat are in for a treat tomorrow (Thursday), 13 February 2025, as
the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) presents an exciting concert that promises
to be an unforgettable event. While the evening’s programme, featuring Claudio
Astronio, Gianluca Marciano, and the Piccoli Cantori di Torino Children’s
Choir, is filled with captivating performances, the real star of the show is
the magnificent pipe organ housed in the Opera House—a true national treasure.

The pipe organ at the ROHM is one of
the largest in the Middle East, with over 4,000 pipes. Crafted by the renowned
Klais Orgelbau in Germany, this extraordinary instrument stands as a
masterpiece of engineering and design. Its grand presence within the Opera
House perfectly complements the stunning architecture of the venue, making it
not just a musical instrument, but a defining feature of the space. Notably,
one of the organ pipes was specially designed in honour of the late Sultan
Qaboos bin Said, cementing the deep connection between the Opera House and
Oman’s cultural heritage.

What sets the pipe organ apart is
its incredible range of sound. From the softest, ethereal whispers to powerful,
thunderous notes, the organ’s rich and resonant tones add a unique depth to any
performance. The sheer scale of the instrument allows it to create a dynamic
and immersive atmosphere, whether it is in the context of classical music,
opera, or contemporary compositions. For this concert, the organ will be
showcased in all its grandeur, with Claudio Astronio, a renowned organist,
performing pieces that highlight its impressive capabilities.

Over the years, the ROHM’s pipe
organ has attracted some of the most celebrated organists in the world. Among
the giants who have performed on this remarkable instrument are Olivier Latry,
the French organist and titular performer at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, who
played in 2014, and David Briggs, a celebrated British organist known for his
virtuosic technique, who performed in 2013. Other renowned organists include
Giampaolo Di Rosa (2016) and Hansjörg Albrecht (2017), whose performances have
all contributed to the Opera House’s reputation as a premier venue for
world-class organ music.

The technical wizardry behind the ROHM’s
pipe organ is just as impressive as its sound. The organ has been designed with
great flexibility, as it can be moved on a hydraulic system to allow the
performance space to be adjusted depending on the size of the ensemble or the
type of event. This innovative feature ensures that the organ can be positioned
for optimal acoustics in a variety of settings, making it an incredibly
versatile instrument that can adapt to both large orchestral works and more
intimate performances. Its ability to transform the acoustics of the room adds
to its status as one of the most impressive organs in the world.

The concert programme itself offers
a delightful variety of music, featuring both choral and orchestral works. The
Piccoli Cantori di Torino Children’s Choir, conducted by Elisa Dal Corso, will
perform pieces ranging from the joyful I Feel Pretty from West Side
Story to the evocative La voce del mare by Francesco Corrias. The
choir’s performance will be enriched by the Cheltenham Muscat Choir and Downe
House Muscat Choir, who will add depth to the musical experience. Their
combined voices will bring a unique vibrancy to pieces by Henry Purcell,
Giuseppe Verdi, and Jacques Offenbach, including the iconic Barcarolle
from Les Contes d’Hoffmann.

However, it is the organ that takes
centre stage in the second part of the concert. Astronio will perform a varied
organ repertoire that spans centuries, from Baroque elegance in Nikolaus
Bruhns’s works to the modern vibrancy of Philip Glass’s Mad Rush. A
highlight of the evening will be Handel’s Organ Concerto in G Minor, a
piece that perfectly showcases the organ’s power and beauty. Astronio’s solo
performance of Mad Rush will demonstrate the versatility of the organ,
transitioning from delicate, ethereal tones to bold, resonant sounds.

This concert is also a celebration
of cultural exchange, with works that blend European classical music, modern
compositions, and even film music, such as Voir sur ton chemin from Les
Choristes and Eatnemen Vuelie by Frode Fjellheim and Christophe
Beck. This fusion of genres reflects the ROHM’s commitment to fostering global
dialogue through music.

The grandeur of the Opera House,
with its world-class acoustics, provides the perfect setting for this
extraordinary evening. The combination of the choral, organ, and orchestral
music will create an immersive atmosphere that will stay with audiences long
after the final note. This is a rare opportunity to experience exceptional
musicianship and a one-of-a-kind musical instrument, making it a must-attend
event for any music enthusiast.

— Ends/Khalid