The Legacy of Tolerance in the Music of Medieval Spain

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
Time: 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Cost: $10 general; $8 students (suggested donation)

Ornament of the World celebrates the spiritual flowering of song tradition throughout Medieval Spain. Soprano trio Voxfire and Arabic ensemble Kan Zaman join together to evoke the sensuous poetry of Arabic ring-songs and Christian troubadours; the religious fervor of Spanish cantigas; and the wistful and plaintive longing of Jewish Sephardic romances. With luminous vocals, a tender oud, Turkish clarinets, and traditional percussion, the serpentine melodies and rhythmic energy of the songs’ Arabic roots serve as a reminder of the lively exchange that occurred among the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities of this culturally rich period.

Celebrated West-Coast trio Voxfire is highly regarded for their interpretations of early and contemporary vocal music. Sopranos Samela Aird Beasom, Christen Herman and Susan Judy breathe new life into the ancient, translating age-old wisdom into modern sensibility. They are joined by Kan Zaman, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and performance of traditional Arabic music. Members of Kan Zaman include Co-Founder and Artistic Director Wael Kakish on oud and frame drum; James Sullivan on clarinets; and T.J. Troy on percussion.

The program draws inspiration from María Rosa Menocal’s book The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain.