International ?zmir Festival opens

The 29th International ?zmir Festival started on May 26 with a concert by the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra, founded by Italian maestro Riccardo Muti, who has been decorated with the greatest honorary medals of many countries. 

The festival, organized by the ?zmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education, presents a wide spectrum of classical, traditional and contemporary works in music, ballet, theater and opera, including both international and national performances. It attracts great attendance from both locals and foreigners visiting Turkey.

World-famous Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman will take the stage on May 30, accompanied by pianist Rohan De Silva. 

The ambassadors of Cuban music, the Buena Vista Social Club, which has so far performed countless concerts around the world, will take the stage in the poplar holiday town of Çe?me on June 29 as part of their ?Adios Tour.? Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa, Guajiro Mirabal, Barbarito Torres and Jesus ?Aguaje? Ramos will perform in the concert. 

On June 16, Polish pianist Janusz Olejniczak will present a program of works by Chopin and Debussy. 

Olejniczak has recorded best-selling soundtracks for two famous movies: Roman Polanski?s ?The Pianist? and Andrzej Zulawski?s ?La note bleue;? he appeared in the latter as an actor, playing the role of Frederick Chopin. This year, he will again sit on the jury of the Frederick Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw.

An American organist known for his virtuosity, showmanship, technique and arrangements, Cameron Carpenter, will meet the audience on June 18 with his special instrument, called the ?International Touring Organ-ITO.? He will take the ?zmir stage for the first time, performing a...