Simon Shaheen and the Near Eastern Music Ensemble

Indisputably the Arab world's greatest singer, Um Kalthum sang melancholy operettas that

encapsulated the loves of a nation. At the same time, the compositional genius of Mohamed

Abdel Wahab profoundly transformed the music of his native Egypt. The emotional yearning

and shattering power of these legendary artists are captured by virtuoso Arab musicians

led by multi-instrumentalist Simon Shaheen and vocalist Rima Khcheich.

PRE-PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION, 6:45 pm

"[Simon Shaheen] has coaxed the oud's elastic, syncopated sound across musical

borders...establishing himself as an important interpreter of Arab culture for Western

audiences. " --New York Times