Noor
Join us on a spiritual journey from Persia to Anatolia and from the Levant to Andalusia. Vocalists and instrumentalists from Iran, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Palestine, the Netherlands and Germany will stand together on a stage and perform an ode to spring, Nawruz (the Iranian New Year) and the beginning of Ramadan, all of which will take place in the same week.
Festival Lieve Stad,
Location ITA - Grote zaal
Run time 105 minutes
Genre Musical theatre
Programme
7 - 7.45 pm iftar
8.30 pm start concert
Noor
Persian singer Mohammad Motamedi and Maghrebian singers Salah Edinne Mesbah and Souhaila will perform poetry by mystical poets such as Rumi, Rabia Al Adawiya and Ibn Arabi. Storyteller Sahand Sahabdivani will colour the poetry into powerful stories. The evening is musically curated by bassist Tony Overwater, who has been immersing himself in musical traditions from the area from Morocco to Iran for over 20 years. He has invited his musical friends from all over the world, making for a unique, for the time being one-off, concert. Don't miss it.
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The musical composition consists of a rock-solid blend of instruments that have their origins in Antiquity and the Middle Ages. From the Persian daf (percussion) to the magical sounds of the qanun and from the sophisticated violone to the mystical sound of the nay. And the Turkish kemenche (knee violin) and the Arabic ud cannot and will not be missing either. Together, they shine like a light (Noor) over our city of Amsterdam. Noor means light in Arabic and is central to several poems by well-known mystics. Light is used as a metaphor to capture the supernatural, unity and love in words.
Iftar
The start of the fasting month of Ramadan is determined by the position of the moon and most likely falls on Thursday morning, 23 March 2023. Prior to the concert Noor, we will offer our guests an iftar. The meal will be served between 7 and 7.45 pm. For those who wish to, there will also be an opportunity to pray in the two prayer rooms. The concert will then start at 8.30 pm.
NB: All spots for the iftar have been reserved. You can no longer register for this.
Credits
musical direction and violone/contrabass Tony Overwater
vocals Mohammad Motamedi
rabab, qanun Ahmed El Maai
vocals and percussion Salah Edinne Mesbah
percussion Ruven Ruppik, Pouriya Jaberi
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nay Sinan Arat
kemenche Emine Bostanci
ud Nizar Rohana
made possible by Tonality Foundation and Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra
17 - 26 March
Festival Lieve Stad,
Amsterdam is a city of many faces, literally, because we live here together with many different nationalities. Lieve Stad is about the city and all its inhabitants. This festival, a collaboration between ITA and Meervaart, is about bringing people together, in the city, in the theatre, in society. How do we live together and what stories do all individuals and groups carry with them? They all have their own stories, strengths and challenges. Showing these is the starting point of Lieve Stad,.