“Ancestors” – Global Music Ensemble Brings Diverse Middle Eastern Music to Atlantic Canada
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2024
“Ancestors” – Global Music Ensemble Brings Diverse Middle Eastern Music to Atlantic Canada
K’JIUPUKTUK/HALIFAX, NS – The Amir Amiri Ensemble’s production, “Ancestors,” embarks on a contemporary musical odyssey delving into the rich tapestry of Persian traditional, folkloric, and dastgahi music of Iran. This immersive journey intricately weaves the improvisational essence of Maqam music from the diverse Middle Eastern musical traditions, presenting a harmonious convergence of sound organization and sonic storytelling. The Amir Amiri Ensemble is set to embark on a two-week tour with Debut Atlantic, including six concerts in Nova Scotia, one concert in New Brunswick, and one in Prince Edward Island. Touring between March 8-24, 2024, they will enthrall audiences with music inspired by the timeless beauty of Persian musical heritage and its ability to evolve, captivate, and inspire across generations.
Debut Atlantic is thrilled to present high-calibre artists to audiences across Atlantic Canada. The Amir Amiri Ensemble will begin their tour in Annapolis Royal, NS with King’s Theatre on Friday, March 8th at 7:30pm. Next, they head over to Pictou, NS on Sunday, March 10th at 2:00pm, where they will appear at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church as part of the deCoste Centre for Art & Creativity’s “On the Road” series. Afterwards, they are traveling to Yarmouth, NS for an evening performance at the Holy Trinity Church with the Hear! Here! Society! on Wednesday, March 13th at 7:00pm. The Amir Amiri Ensemble then travels to Mahone Bay, NS for a 7:00pm concert on Saturday, March 16th Musique Royale at St. James Anglican Church. The following week, Tuesday, March 19th, the Amir Amiri Ensemble will appear at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, PE at 7:30pm. Next, they travel to Moncton, NB, where they will appear Capitol Theatre’s Empress Theatre on Friday, March 22nd for a 8:00pm performance. The Amir Amiri ensemble then heads back to Nova Scotia to perform with Cecilia Concert’s in Halifax, NS on Saturday, March 23rd at 7:30pm. They finish their Debut Atlantic tour on Sunday, March 24th at 7:30pm, where they will perform in Antigonish, NS with the Antigonish Performing Arts Series.
In addition to concert engagements, the Amir Amiri Ensemble will be working with young students through the Debut Goes to School! program. This season, Debut Goes to School offers students throughout Atlantic Canada in-person access to outstanding classical and global music artists. Through this program, students are provided the opportunity to participate in live, interactive learning sessions and other events for various age groups and levels of ability.
Debut Atlantic wants to recognize the partners and sponsors that come together to bring these incredible artists to communities and venues of all sizes across our region. It would not be possible without the generous support of sustaining partners, including the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, and the Province of New Brunswick. Debut would also like to thank its educational partner, the Nova Scotia Department of Education; and its season partners, including the Halifax Regional Municipality, The Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, Support4Culture, the Craig Foundation, Pink Larkin, Halcraft Printers, Strategic Arts Management, and InnVest Hotels (Comfort Inn).
Please see the enclosed list of concert dates and artist biography, and come share in a unique performance, rich with passion and exploration.
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As one of Canada’s most prestigious classical music organizations, Debut Atlantic is committed to developing young artists and establishing new initiatives that enhance the cultural life of Atlantic Canada. Since 1979 it has treated Atlantic audiences to Canada’s most promising young musicians. Celebrating 43 years, Debut Atlantic has featured over 400 artists, gracing the stages of venues from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Full details on Debut Atlantic’s concert seasons and educational programs can be found at www.debutatlantic.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Erin Sparks – Executive Director
Debut Atlantic
902-429-6812
erin@debutatlantic.ca
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Elizabeth Upson Perez – Program Officer
Debut Atlantic
902-429-6812
elizabeth@debutatlantic.ca
TOUR SCHEDULE—AMIR AMIRI ENSEMBLE
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
7:30pm, March 8, 2024
King’s Theatre
209 George St.
902-532-7704
www.kingstheatre.ca
Pictou, Nova Scotia
2:00pm, March 10, 2024
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
deCoste Performing Centre for Arts & Creativity
1-800-353-5338
decostecentre.ca
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
7:00pm, March 13, 2024
Hear! Here! Society
Holy Trinity Church
902-749-7411
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
7:00pm, March 16, 2024
Musique Royale
St. James Anglican Church
musiqueroyale.com
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
7:30pm, March 19, 2024
Confederation Centre of the Arts
The Mack
902-566-1267
confederationcentre.com
Moncton, New Brunswick
8:00pm, March 22, 2024
Théâtre Capitol Theatre
Empress Theatre
506-856-4379
capitol.nb.ca
Halifax, Nova Scotia
7:30pm, March 23, 2024
Cecilia Concerts
Lillian Piercey Concert Hall
www.ceciliaconcerts.ca
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
7:30pm, March 24, 2024
Antigonish Performing Arts Series
Immaculata Hall, St. F.X. University
2360 Notre Dame Ave.
902-867-3909
people.stfx.ca/msteinit/schedule.htm
BIOGRAPHY—Amir Amiri Ensemble
Santur player, composer, and cultural inventor Amir Amiri has spent his decades-long career exploring the limits of his music and keeps coming to the conclusion that there are none. As a santur player, Amir seeks to bring this ancient instrument into the musical conversations of our time, engaging across borders and transcending genres. Dazzlingly virtuosic and with a keen imagination, Amir creates an enchanting and unique musical universe with every performance.
The Amir Amiri Ensemble is an ensemble of virtuoso musicians from the Persian tradition: Amir Amiri (santur), Abdul-Wahab Kayyali (oud), Reza Abaee (ghaychak), Omar Abu Afech (Viola), and Hamin Honari (percussion). Inspired by the diversity and fluidity of the many musical influences of Iran, the Amir Amiri Quartet creates an engaging and distinctive sound fusing the refinement of traditional and spiritual Persian music with folkloric and modern elements. In seeking to expand the boundaries of these musical traditions, balancing heritage and innovation, they find that the possibilities are limitless. In the eclectic musical universe of the Amir Amiri Ensemble, borders are abolished to make way for bewitching alchemy, a mystical conversation between these kindred-spirit musicians.