Prague Philharmonia at Pavarotti Tribute in Jordan
The Prague Philharmonia will perform next to Angela Gheorgiu, Roberto Alagna, José Carreras, Andrea Bocelli as well as the pop stars Sting, Zucchero, Jovanotti, Laura Pausini and other artists at "The Pavarotti Tribute" concert that will take place in the historic site of Petra in Jordan on 12 October.
This unique charity and memorial concert for the legendary singer will take place one year after his death on the day when Luciano Pavarotti would have celebrated his 73rd birthday. It will bring together top artists who performed with Pavarotti at the "Pavarotti & Friends" charity concerts in his hometown of Modena, and the Prague Philharmonia. The orchestra accompanied Pavarotti at a concert in Prague in April 2005 during his Farewell Tour. The event will be produced by world renowned impresario Harvey Goldsmith CBE.
Holding this tribute was the idea of Nicoletta Mantovani, Pavarotti's widow, and HRH Princess Haya, the late King Hussein's daughter who is also a UN Messenger of Peace and knew the Maestro well through their shared involvement in the equestrian world, as well as his friendship with her late father.
"A concert in Petra was a dream once shared by the late King Hussein of Jordan and Luciano," explained Nicoletta Mantovani. "I am so grateful to Her Royal Highness Princess Haya for making it possible to turn this dream into a reality."
The proceeds of the concert will support joint projects in Afghanistan by the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP). A local charity supporting disabled children in Petra will also benefit from the concert.
The government of Jordan has granted the permission for the memorial ceremony and concert at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra on an exceptional basis, in acknowledgement of the Maestro's iconic status in the music world and of his special relationship with the Jordanian royal family. The event is also supported by the Government of Italy.
While the memorial ceremony will be held at the wondrous Petra Treasury site for a select group of dignitaries, friends and family, the concert itself will be held at an adjacent Bedouin camp within the historical site respecting the fragility of ancient Treasury.
