(Photo - The Sirba Octet, Bernard Cazauran on Bass)

Essaouira's Alizes Classical Music Festival Big Success

What a great weekend of classical music in Essaouira. All the events I attended were full and everyone enjoyed the great performances. The Bab El Menzeh, recently upgraded for the event, proved to be just spot the festival needed to accommodate the headlining events. The Dar Souiri has great atmosphere, but quickly fills up and gets too warm. The Bab El Menzeh is perfect, you just need to be sure to bring a jacket in case the wind is blowing.

My favorite group this year was the Sirba octet led by

Richard Schmoucler on violon. They played a variety of old Yiddish tunes and all the performers were excellent. The double bass player, Bernard Cazauran, was the stand-up standout with his animated style. All the members of the band smiled as Bernard lit up the stage with his big slides and thoughtful expressions. One was sure he really lived this music.

The festival ended with it's highlight, The Chorus of the Three Cultures lead by Didier Lockwood. The chorus was huge this year with over 50 singers from 10 different countries. They filled the Bab El Menzeh with beautiful tunes in Italian, Arabic and Italian. This year featured a guest opera star who sparkled on stage. The program does not list her name, but she was fantastic, singing mostly in Arabic. She was beautiful and wore a strapless pink evening gown that made her look like a goddess while singing like a bird. Overall a fantastic outing.

Be sure not to miss this event next year!

Other News:

Ibis Hotels has just posted it's vital information at it's construction sight next to the Afriqua Station. As listed, the Hotel will have 151 rooms, a pool, two restaurants and a bar. Wow, the Hotels and construction in this city is going wild!!!

Weather - Beautiful Spring weather, but a bit blustery in the afternoon. Surf in the AM in the Bay, windsports in the afternoon. Have fun in our fabulous city!

Check the surf in Essaouira:

http://www.windguru.com/int/index.php?sc=26

Check the Weather in Essaouira:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=essaouira

 

Next Week: Update on Atlas Resort

Current Events:

The Alliance Francoise is hosting the exhibition

«Portraits in Oil» by Anna - from April 2 to

the 24th.

For at full schedule of events at the Alliance

Francoise, go to their website at:

http://www.ambafrance-ma.org/institut/afm-essaouira/index.cfm?num=948&archive...

The Alliance Francoise is located on Rue Laalouj not

far from Dar Suki.

Upcoming Events

10th Annual Essaouira International Gnaoua Festival

2007 June 19 - 23. For all information go to the

official websight at:

http://www.festival-gnaoua.co.ma/

Blog Posted each Monday by Ron Bauer, see you soon!