A Night of Virtuosity: Elli Choi performs at the Royal Opera House, Muscat as a special prize from Umberto Fanni
December 2025 saw the Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman, come alive with the electrifying sounds of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the masterful Sergey Smbatyan. Elli Choi performed as a soloist with Behzod Abduraimov.
The program opened with the timeless charm of Aram Khachaturian, featuring the elegant Waltz from “Masquerade Suite” and the exhilarating Sabre Dance from “Gayaneh” Ballet. The orchestra’s crisp, vibrant interpretation had the audience immediately on edge with excitement, capturing Khachaturian’s signature mix of lyricism and rhythmic fire.
Next came Franz Waxman’s “Carmen Fantasy”, a daring and dramatic showcase for violin, brought to life by the virtuosic Elli Choi. Her flawless technique and expressive phrasing transformed Waxman’s adaptation of Bizet’s opera into a spellbinding display of artistry, eliciting thunderous applause.
The spotlight then shifted to contemporary composition with Alexey Shor’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in C minor, again featuring Choi’s masterful performance. Shor’s concerto, a work of intense emotion and intricate modern textures, was rendered with precision and sensitivity, highlighting the violinist’s versatility and depth.
A highlight of the evening was the lush and spirited Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin. The orchestra’s rich, full-bodied sound painted a vivid musical picture, transporting the audience to the sweeping landscapes and vibrant culture evoked in Borodin’s work.
Closing the program was the monumental Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninoff, featuring the extraordinary Behzod Abduraimov on piano. Abduraimov’s fiery technique and nuanced phrasing brought Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece to life, balancing virtuosic brilliance with lyrical sensitivity. The orchestra’s dynamic support amplified every twist and turn of this beloved composition, leaving the audience in awe.
From the exuberant rhythms of Khachaturian to the dazzling technical feats of Waxman and Rachmaninoff, the concert was a masterclass in orchestral color, soloistic brilliance, and musical storytelling. The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, under Smbatyan’s inspired leadership, proved once again why it stands among the world’s premier orchestras, delivering a night of sheer musical enchantment that Muscat will long remember.
