Conductor David Gimenez Carreras, flautist Andrea Griminelli and pianist Gabriela Montero are the headline names of the international festival called 'Sounds of Oradea', set to take place from 12 to 14 June at the Oradea Fortress and the Queen Marie Theatre in Oradea.

According to a Visit Oradea release, the festival will open on the evening of Friday, 12 June, with the performance 'An evening of Viennese operetta,' presented by the Oradea Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Spanish conductor David Gimenez Carreras, alongside soprano Martina Zadro (Croatia) and tenor Rafal Bartminski (Poland).

On the second evening, the audience will be able to attend the concert 'Famous soundtracks: the music of Morricone,' a tribute dedicated to composer Ennio Morricone, performed by Italian flautist Andrea Griminelli together with the orchestra and choir of the Oradea State Philharmonic, conducted by Vladimir Lungu.

'The renowned Italian flautist Andrea Griminelli, recognised for his collaborations with Luciano Pavarotti and performances on major international stages, will perform, together with the orchestra and choir of the Oradea State Philharmonic, the unmistakable music from films such as The Mission, Cinema Paradiso and other masterpieces that have marked film history,' the release said.

This year's edition also brings Gabriela Montero to Oradea, a Venezuelan pianist and composer awarded the Latin Grammy and the International Beethoven Award, acclaimed on the world's major stages for her virtuosity and live improvisations. The artist will perform a piano recital on Sunday evening, also from 20:30, in the hall of the Queen Marie Theatre.

The concerts on the first and second evenings will take place in the inner courtyard of the Oradea Fortress. Admission is general, with no reserved seating and participants may choose their place depending on their arrival time at the event. Tickets have been put on sale on https://www.entertix.ro.

During this period, tickets are available at the Early Bird price, with rates set to rise gradually as the event date approaches.

The 'Sounds of Oradea' Festival (SO Festival) is an event conceived and organised by Visit Oradea (the Oradea Destination Management Organization) and Oradea City Hall. The festival's artistic director is Catalan conductor David Gimenez Carreras, nephew and conductor of renowned tenor Jose Carreras.

Local partners include Autosiena, the Oradea State Philharmonic and the Queen Marie Theatre.

The organisers say the festival, now in its fifth edition, continues to strengthen Oradea's position as a major regional cultural destination through high-level performances held in some of the city's landmark venues. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Eugenia Pasca; EN - writing by: Rodica State)