November full of stars in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

Jennifer Lopez, Sting, Thin Lizzy, W.A.S.P. and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra prepare to takes stage in Istanbul’s various concert venues. EPA Photo

stanbul will welcome a range of global music stars this month, with visits scheduled from artists who run the gamut from pop to metal to classical.

On Nov. 10 the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will be on stage at Haliç Congress Center, followed a day later by Thin Lizzy at Küçükçiftlik Park as part of the Avea Music Concert. W.A.S.P. continues the lineup at Maçka Küçükçiftlik Park on Nov. 25, while Sting will conclude the month of music with his long-awaited concert at Ataköy Track and Field Hall.

Jennifer Lopez will perform at Ülker Sports Arena on Nov. 16 and has also agreed to a Nov. 17 encore performance following her highly anticipated initial show, according to concert organizers. A total of 5,000 tickets for the upcoming Lopez concert were sold out within the first five days they were available.

Lopez will sing new songs from her latest album, “Love.” Given her reputation for high-energy stage shows, expectations are high, though it remains uncertain whether Enrique Iglesias, who has been performing with Lopez on her “Dance Again” world tour, will be accompanying her.

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) will be hosting one of the world’s greatest orchestras, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, on Nov. 10 at the Haliç Congress Center as part of the 400th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands.

One of the main cultural ambassadors for the Netherlands, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra consists of 120 virtuosos who will be conducted by Lorin Maazel of the United States, the chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic this season.

The orchestra enjoyed a close relationship with Gustav Mahler and championed many of his symphonies, even performing his work at the Mahler Festival. Other conductors who have worked with the Concertgebouw Orchestra included Pierre Monteux, Eugen Jochum, George Szell and Kirill Kondrashin, who was the permanent guest conductor from 1978 to 1981. More recently, Nikolaus Harnoncourt was named honorary guest conductor in 2000.

Sting takes the stage at Ataköy

Sting last came to Turkey in 2006 to perform for 15,000 fans at Kuruçeşme Arena. This time he will appear at the Ataköy Athletizm Arena with a five-piece band consisting of Dominic Miller on guitar, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, David Sancious on keyboards, Peter Tickell on electric fiddle and Jo Lawry on backup vocals. Sting will visit Istanbul as a part of his Back to Bass Fall 2012 Tour. The singer has varied his musical style throughout his career, incorporating distinct elements of jazz, reggae, classical, new age, and world-beat into his music. As a solo musician and member of The Police, Sting received 16 Grammy Awards for his work, receiving his first Grammy for best rock instrumental performance in 1981.

The artist also has three Brit Awards, including one for best British male in 1994, a Golden Globe, an Emmy Award, and several Oscar nominations for best original song under his belt. He is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.