Lucerne, Switzerland.- The eagerly awaited concert by the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, under the baton of maestro Claudio Abbado, opened with Scythian Suite, Op. 20. This work by Sérgei Prokófiev was performed by the Venezuelan youth orchestra with great  precision and brilliant nuances.

A beautifully and well balanced orchestration sent the almost 2,000 music lovers that attended the concert into raptures.  The  Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, orchestra in residence and main atraction at the Lucerne Festival, gave a precised and great performance under the baton of one of the world's most important conductors.

The audience of the festival, habituated to magnificent music events, surrendered to the strength and the technical skills of the Venezuelan musicians, and applauded their colorful performance.

The English Soprano,  Anna Prohaska, who accompanied the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela as soloist in the performance of Alban Berg's Lulu Suite, displayed her artistry and was highly praised by the audience.  Prohaska, whose charisma combines charm and seduction, gave a fresh, and brilliant performance.

 View photo gallery in Picasa Web Albums.
SBYOV. Conductor: Claudio Abbado. Soloist: Anna Prohaska. KKL Concert Hall. Lucerne, Switzerland. 19-03-2010. Photos: Nohely Oliveros/ Fesnojiv

The concert closed with Tchaikovsky's Pathétique, performed in its original orchestration. The young members of the orchestra, led by the renowned Italian maestro, conquered the audience and, according to the local press, gave a moving and remarkable performance.