2013/02/19

Freer: Naseer Shamma


Date: March 7, 2013 (Thursday)
Time: 7:30 P.M.
Place: Freer Gallery, 1050 Independence AV SW, Washington DC 20013 (directions)
Tickets: Free to the public other than ticketing fee from Ticketmaster

One of the Arab world’s leading soloists on the ‘ud (lute), Naseer Shamma returns to the US for the first time in ten years to lead his ensemble in new arrangements of classical Arab music. Based in Cairo, the Al-Oyoun Ensemble performs on 'ud, qanun, violins, flute, cello, contrabass, and percussion.

Shamma is a native of Iraq, where he graduated from Baghdad Academy of Music, and founding director of the Beit Al-Oud Al-Arabi, an institute for the teaching of Arab classical music in Cairo, Alexandria, Algeria, and Abu Dhabi. He developed a method of playing 'ud with one hand for children wounded in the Iraq War. Shamma has performed in twelve European countries and eleven Arab nations. Supported by Saudi Aramco, this concert is part of a US tour produced by Alwan for the Arts, which includes the ensemble’s appearance at the Festival of Iraqi Culture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Video:


No comments: