ASWAT: The Golden Age of Arab Music
Sunday, March 8, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square

Simon Shaheen, one of today’s leading Arab composers and multi-instrumentalists, leads a traditional 15-piece Arab orchestra and a cast of leading singers from the Arab world in “Aswat” (“Voices”), a fascinating exploration of the great voices of the Golden Age of Arab music. Egypt’s beloved diva Um Kulthoum and Mohammad Abdel Wahhab, Syria’s Farid and Asmahan Al-Atrash and Lebanon’s Wadi’ Al-Safi and Fairuz, whose voices represent the very best of this era are interpreted by some of the finest voices of the Arab world today. Multi-media imagery and vintage film footage of this era will complement the performance. Featuring Ibrahim Azzam and Khalil Abonula of Palestine, Sonia M’barek of Tunisia, and Rima Khcheich of Lebanon.
$41, CMA members $39.