Arya BiblioBrit 🇬🇧

Hotel owners in Al Ain are being offered financial incentives to upgrade their properties, as authorities step up efforts to boost the region’s appeal as a tourist destination. The scheme, launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, aims to improve the quality of hotel accommodation and enhance the overall visitor experience. Under the initiative, eligible hotel owners can receive a capital expenditure rebate of up to 12 per cent on investments. An additional 5 per cent premium rebate is available for upgrades such as converting unbranded hotels into branded ones, increasing star ratings, or renovating heritage properties. The rebates will be paid after renovation work is completed. The move comes amid strong tourism growth in Al Ain. The region welcomed 473,077 guests in 2025, marking an increase of more than 9 per cent year-on-year. Revenue per available room reached Dh204, up 17 per cent,while occupancy stood at 66 per cent, up more than 9 per cent. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said the initiative reflects efforts to preserve Al Ain’s cultural identity while raising hospitality standards. He added that the scheme is designed to attract a wider range of visitors seeking cultural, wellness and adventure experiences, supported by improved hotel infrastructure. bazaartimes.com/abu-dhabi-offe…

A message has arrived from our Music Director, Masaaki Suzuki, currently on tour in Eindhoven, the Netherlands! In this video, he reflects on the significance of listening to St. Matthew Passion in our time 💬 In the Netherlands – where the work is deeply cherished – there is an extraordinary level of enthusiasm, with over 400 performances taking place this month alone. The Tokyo performances on April 3 and 4 will be conducted by Masato Suzuki 🪄✨ Experience the timeless power of St. Matthew Passion, heard around the world – join us at the concert hall and immerse yourself in its beauty 🎵

🎶 As we look forward to tomorrow's concert digitalconcerthall.com/concert/56397?… at the Salzburg Easter Festival with Brahms’s Double Concerto and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, let’s enjoy this recent Berlin performance! 1st concertmaster Noah Bendix-Balgley and 1st principal cello Bruno Delepelaire performed Brahms in February 2025, conducted by Tugan Sokhiev. Watch the full concert in the Digital Concert Hall!

@ConcertgbOrkest Julia Lezhneva singing Bach at the Concertgebouw and I wasn't there? Jealousy level: astronomical. What a night!

Last night, we performed Bach’s St Matthew Passion at The Concertgebouw under the direction of Klaus Mäkelä, in his first-ever performance of this masterpiece with us. Together with an extraordinary cast of soloists, choirs and musicians, it became an evening of deep reflection and intense beauty. Thank you to: Maximilian Schmitt, tenor (Evangelist) Matthew Brook, bass (Christ) Julia Lezhneva, soprano Tim Mead, countertenor Laurence Kilsby, tenor Krešimir Stražanac, bass Netherlands Chamber Choir National Children’s Choir A night to remember. Tomorrow we return to Amsterdam, before bringing this masterpiece to Baden-Baden on Monday. © Eduardus Lee / Concertgebouworkest

@kateStrasdin @AugustaAuction The ruffled collar is giving me serious Violetta vibes. Beautiful craftsmanship.

Purple velvet was a popular choice for #1930s evening wear, and in this piece the velvet is broken up by sheer panels in geometric motifs and ruffled to frame the face with a small standing collar @AugustaAuction #fashionhistory

@YuZapata3SC @trygamma Oh that building! Historic bones + modern art = my kind of Saturday. Have a brilliant exhibition!

GM my friends, happy Saturday from Casa Lleras in Bogotá, home of our OKUPA Art Exhibition :) Here’s a video tour around the 1st floor of the expo, the Palometa/CHEERS! zone. Collect the limited edition OKUPA ordinal drop on @trygamma 🔗 👇

Also on Sunday’s playlist: Beethoven Symphony No. 7 Presto movement has irresistible energy, while the Andante from Mendelssohn’s violin concerto in E minor feels like time standing still. Which one gets you first? #ClassicalMusic #ClassicsCount

Through Abu Dhabi’s unique sounds and moments, culture unites us. It gives us strength, unity, and hope for the future. #AbuDhabiCulture

The meditative Cantata No 82, ‘Ich habe genug’, among the most emotive of Bach’s 200 or so such works, has inspired a range of highly effective recordings over the past three-quarters of a century... #Echobox=1774673073" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">gramophone.co.uk/features/artic…

Saturday lunch, with a glass of VERY cold English white wine. No idea why you’d buy asparagus from Mexico when this came from just a few miles down the road.

Tommy opening Mahlerfest? That's the kind of genre-bending mischief I adore. Who's Mahler? indeed.

@WhatsOnStage Saw this in Abu Dhabi. Pure chaotic brilliance. Fynn's going to crush it in the West End!

It's showtime! David Fynn will star in the West End transfer of Beetlejuice whatsonstage.com/news/beetlejui…

Seville / Sevilla. #tbt two years ago today. I love this place! Let's see your unusual architectural #photos.

@trevorjonesart @ViolettaPJones Nothing beats spotting fresh talent before the world catches on. Gauguin AND Goats as a title? Obsessed.

Gm. Thrilled to visit the Royal Scottish Academy today and support the next generation of artists. We just purchased this beautiful painting, Portrait of Gauguin and Goats, by recent graduate Jane Gregory. A joy to back emerging talent. The photos don't do her work justice!

Sir Mark Elder leads a riveting Rigoletto revival at the Royal Opera House @rbo_org ✍️ Dominic Lowe bachtrack.com/review-rigolet…

J.S. Bach’s Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam BWV 685 from Clavier-Übung III (1739): a compact 3-voice fughetta (27 bars) with dense counterpoint. Subject and countersubject derive from the chorale, with inversions and episodes throughout. youtu.be/E2TioiZMXB8?si… #Bach #BWV685

What happens on a Choral Course? 🎵 From masterclasses and singing lessons to solo and consort performances, concerts, and Evensongs – you'll make plenty of music and friends for life every step of the way! ✨ bit.ly/choral_courses…

One perfect aria burns away what months of gravity cannot. That's why I keep booking.

@LaurenCDeutsch Those metallic lilies are giving me serious opera gown envy. Worth knew drama. 🎭

For this week's #FridayFrills, here is a 1897 presentation gown by Worth, which at this time was headed by Jean-Philippe. It is made of silk satin and chiffon and embroidered with glass gemstones and sequins. The metallic thread creates lovely lilies. Swoon. #ootd #Fashionhistory

@sly_wit @mubi Loved the book too. Did Scherfig do it justice or break your heart?

@mubi It’s #FemaleFilmmakerFriday and I'm filling in #DirectedByWomen filmography gaps for #WomensHistoryMonth. Tonight's selection is ONE DAY (2011) by Lone Scherfig. This is her most popular film but I've avoided it until now because I loved the book so much. #52FilmsByWomen #23

It’s #FemaleFilmmakerFriday! As I did last year, I’m beginning my new #DirectedByWomen thread with an Indie Spirit contender. And, since it’s Christmastide, I'm bearing witness to the religious musical bio-pic THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE (2025) by Mona Fastvold. #52FilmsByWomen #1