Orchestra unites diverse nationalities in one artistic space.
Moscow: The historic stage of the Bolshoi Theatre hosted the VIII International Music Award BraVo 2026, one of the world’s major cultural events often described as the “Grammy of the East.”
The ceremony brought together leading artists from more than 11 countries, including the Middle East, underscoring its role as a key platform for international cultural dialogue.
A special moment and a major highlight for the UAE cultural scene saw Nicolas Mann, Chief Conductor of the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra, awarded the title “Conductor of the Year.”
The recognition marked a significant personal achievement and also placed the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra in the international spotlight, underscoring its presence on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.
During the ceremony, the hosts introduced the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra as the “Orchestra of the Future” and an “ideal global community,” highlighting it as a living example of how musicians of diverse nationalities can unite within a single artistic space, where music serves as a universal language.
The emotional climax of the event came during the final performance of the gala concert, conducted by Nicolas Mann. Taking the podium at the Bolshoi Theatre, the maestro delivered a speech emphasising the importance of passing on his experience and love for music to younger generations.
Then Mann led the closing piece alongside Bolshoi Theatre opera diva Agunda Kulaeva, delivering a powerful finale that symbolically concluded the international programme of the awards. During the performance, laureates from more than 10 countries joined the stage, underscoring a message of cultural unity.
In recent years, the title of “Conductor of the Year” has been associated with leading figures of the global classical scene, including Valery Gergiev, Vladimir Fedoseyev and Teodor Currentzis, among other internationally acclaimed maestros.
The award’s laureates and participants have included renowned artists such as José Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Anna Netrebko, as well as internationally recognised figures including John Travolta and Sophia Loren.
This year, the award for “Classical Composition in Contemporary Performance” was presented to acclaimed pianist Denis Matsuev, who has performed multiple times at Dubai Opera, further strengthening cultural ties between international stages.
Among other major 2026 honorees, Aida Garifullina was recognised as a “World Star,” while Ildar Abdrazakov received the award for Best Male Vocal Performance and is also a Grammy Award laureate.
The global reach of the award was further reflected in the “Partner Country” category representing the Gulf and Middle East region, with winners including Marwan Fagi (tenor, Saudi Arabia), Mohamed Saleh (oboe, Egypt), and Rony Barrak (darbuka, Lebanon), underscoring the international diversity that defines the BraVo platform.
The BraVo International Music Award, established in 2018, is held annually at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and brings together leading performers from around the world.
