Colón Theater Hosts Annual Cultural Performance Concert
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra Kicks Off South American Tour with Stunning Performance in Argentina
The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) has begun its South American tour, with the first stop being Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This performance marked the next part of the Year of Culture initiative between Qatar, Argentina, and Chile.
Founded in 2007 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the QPO unites musicians from over 28 countries, many of whom are from renowned ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra's diverse composition was on full display during the performance in Teatro Colón.
Maestro Enrique Arturo Diemecke, who previously held the position of Artistic General Director of Teatro Colón from 2017 to 2022, conducted the QPO's performance. The concert featured works by Dana Al Fardan and Dr. Nasser Sahim, QPO's Deputy Executive Director. The compositions showcased orchestral textures imbued with cinematic grandeur and rooted in traditional maqam scales of the Gulf.
The performance also included a stirring rendition of Piazzolla's Aconcagua, delivered by celebrated Argentine bandoneon player Víctor Hugo Villena. His performance added a local flavour to the concert, blending the rhythmic passion of Latin America with the deep tonal heritage of the Arab world.
The QPO's performance at Teatro Colón was attended by various dignitaries, including Gabriela Ricardes, Minister of Culture for the City of Buenos Aires, and Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Kurt Meister, Executive Director of QPO, highlighted the significance of the performance, stating that sharing a stage with Maestro Diemecke and Virtuoso Villena in Teatro Colón was a great honour and a powerful symbol of the universality of music. Minister Ricardes praised the collaboration as a powerful expression of cultural diplomacy and celebrated Qatar as a distinguished partner in this year's cultural season.
The QPO's performance at Teatro Colón marked a significant event in the cultural exchange between Qatar and Argentina, as well as a high point in the Years of Culture initiative this year. The orchestra's South American tour will continue in Chile, with the next performance scheduled in Santiago.
The QPO's opening concert in Buenos Aires took place on September 17, 2025, and was described as both a "defining expression" of the orchestra's cultural exchange mission and a "powerful symbol of the universality of music." The QPO's South American tour is expected to further strengthen the cultural ties between Qatar and the countries it visits, promoting peace and understanding through the universal language of music.
