“A ravishing musical landscape… a sensory feast”
– CLEVELANDCLASSICAL.COM

Ringing with urgency in our time, this acclaimed program created by Jeannette Sorrell returns in a fresh version. Honoring the peoples whose music and faith brought such vibrancy to the Middle East, 26 artists from Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim, and Christian backgrounds perform on oud, theorbo, medieval harp, zither, strings, and exotic percussion.

In this musical tour of the four quarters of Old Jerusalem (Jewish, Christian, Arab, and Armenian), surprising cross-influences emerge. A Sephardic ballad leads to a classical Arabic love song; selections from Monteverdi’s great Vespers of 1610 echo the rapturous singing of the Jewish cantors in the temples. The rhythms of daily life – love, singing, dancing and prayer – culminate in a joyous celebration of shared humanity.

PRE-CONCERT CONVERSATIONS with musicians Daphna Mor & Ronnie Malley, hosted by Robbie Ellis of WFMT, 45 minutes before each performance.

These performances are generously sponsored by
DR. & MRS. JAMES & RITA SHEININ (Music Institute of Chicago)
PATRICIA COSTANTE & STEPHANIE CHAMPI (Chicago Cultural Center)