Joelyn Baluyut
DOHA
CineMoon Ensemble, a member of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO), marked a historic moment by performing in Italy for the first time.
The ensemble held two concerts in December last year in collaboration with Musica è Cultura (MèC), with the support of the Municipality of Cagliari and the Region of Sardinia.
The concerts, held in Cagliari, Italy, represented a significant achievement for the cultural internationalisation of Sardinia, strengthening ties with Qatar.
Merve Kenet Bulun, founder and artistic director of CineMoon Ensemble, said: "It was one of the most significant events in CineMoon’s history since we founded the ensemble in Qatar in 2013 as part of the QPO. Not only did we perform in Italy, but we also had the privilege of collaborating with the Musica è Cultura Orchestra. This orchestra includes prestigious members of the Cagliari Opera and Theatre, making our collaboration truly special.”
Reflecting on the audience’s reaction, Bulun said, "Witnessing the reactions of the Italian audience was incredibly meaningful to me. Their positive feedback affirmed the uniqueness of our programmes, which were distinct, diverse, and thoughtfully curated. We worked to create a profound connection with the audience by performing beautiful Italian music alongside pieces from our home countries and our second home, Qatar.”
Bulun described the inspiration behind the programmes, saying: "Italy holds an important place in the history of classical music. With this in mind, I aimed to present two distinct programmes to the Italian audience. The first, Oldies Goldies, was a nostalgic journey through timeless classics like Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, and Charlie Chaplin, along with a beautiful Sardinian traditional piece. The second programme showcased the rich diversity of our own cultures, reflecting the unique backgrounds of CineMoon’s members, who hail from various countries.”
Looking ahead, Bulun revealed plans for additional concerts in Italy in the summer of 2025.
"Similarly, just as we’ve built a special cultural connection between Qatar and Türkiye over the years, with the fourth edition of that collaboration coming this summer, we’ve now added Italy to our journey. This expansion marks a new chapter for CineMoon, one that continues to build meaningful connections through the universal language of music,” Bulun added.
Italy holds a special connection for CineMoon Ensemble and the QPO, as several members are of Italian heritage. Among them are Giovanni Pasini, Artistic Director of MèC and principal viola of QPO, and Martino Piroddi, a violist at Cagliari Opera Theatre and QPO who also manages the MèC Orchestra.
The concerts in Cagliari launched the Musica è Cultura Festival, envisioned as an annual celebration of world music and intercultural
connections.
The concerts were hosted at Teatro Carmen Melis within the Teatro Lirico of Cagliari and featured world-class musicians from the QPO, CineMoon Ensemble, and the MèC Orchestra. Maestro Giovanni Pasini conducted the performances, which included key contributions from QPO members Merve Kenet Bulun, violist and CineMoon’s Founder and Artistic Director; Lorena Manescu, violin soloist; Fulvio Furlanut, violinist; Martino Piroddi, violist; and Mariya Medvedeva, violinist.
Adding a local touch, two Sardinian soloists captivated the audience. Alice Marras delivered stunning vocal performances in English, Spanish, Turkish, and Sardinian, while Mauro Segura enriched the evenings with the distinctive sound of the oud, a traditional Arabic instrument.
The first concert, "Legends in Music,” featured iconic film scores synchronised with visuals. Among the highlights was Benas, a composition by Sardinian composer Giacomo Medas, which beautifully captured the cultural bond between Sardinia and Qatar.
The second concert, "Dances from the World,” included the first international performance of Awshory, a piece by Qatari composer Dr Nasser Sahim, deputy CEO of QPO.
The work’s arabesque-inspired melodies left a lasting impression on the audience. Lorena Manescu shone as a concertmaster and soloist, showcasing her talent in a repertoire of Romanian and Turkish dances.
The finale brought the full orchestra together with Alice Marras on vocals, Mauro Segura on oud, and Andrea Granitzio on piano to perform Due Cuori – Andimironnai, an ancient Sardinian song orchestrated by Granitzio.
The December concerts were supported by local, regional, and international institutions.
The Municipality of Cagliari, represented by Mayor Massimo Zedda, Deputy Mayor Cristina Mancini, and Head of Culture Department Maria Francesca Chiappe, provided the venue and offered its support.
The Region of Sardinia financed the event, reflecting its commitment to cultural promotion.