news
We are very proud to announce that our concert series Aleppo has won the prestigious Ovation 2024! This special prize is awarded annually to musicians who have delivered an impressive stage performance and have thus made an important contribution to classical music life in the Netherlands.
In the Aleppo program, Cappella Amsterdam, accompanied by talented musicians from Syria, brought a musical ode to this glorious metropolis. Through music and spoken word, we celebrated with them the resilience of the Aleppo community and reminded them of the diversity of Aleppo, a city that once symbolized cultural exchange and artistic flourishing.
From the jury report: “In the Aleppo program, Cappella Amsterdam, together with Syrian musicians, brings an impressive musical tribute to the Syrian metropolis of Aleppo. The program gives an impression of the rich musical tradition from that ancient city, which has been shaped by a cross-pollination of different cultures. This resulted in an overwhelming concert program, in which the singers of Cappella Amsterdam had to master a totally new idiom: with quarter tones, slide tones, different intonation and the pronunciation of three different languages (Arabic, Armenian and Aramaic). Not only did the choir do this convincingly, it did so with integrity and poignancy. As an audience, you are on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, thanks to the suspenseful interplay between the choir and the Syrian musicians. This is enhanced by an appropriately modest lighting design and ditto direction and the personal story told by Syrian singer Wasim Arslan between works.”
The Ovation is a huge recognition for the hard work and dedication of all artists and partners involved. Leonard Evers, the artistic director and conductor of this concert programme, received the award during the broadcast of the television programme Podium Klassiek on Sunday 13 October.
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this unforgettable project and to the jury of De Ovatie for this amazing prize!
performers
Cappella Amsterdam
Wasim Arslan narrator (English)/vocalist
Sousan Iskandar violin
Talal Fayad ud (in Middelburg)
Jawa Manla ud/vocals (not in Middelburg)
Shaza Manla qanun
Modar Salama percussion
Leonard Evers conductor
Kenza Koutchoukali final direction
Willem Bruls dramaturg
Floriaan Ganzevoort lighting design
Stefan Wiggers technique
funds
This concert series was made possible by the generous support of Fonds Podiumkunsten, the Gemeente Amsterdam en Ammodo. Without their contribution, this project would not have been possible, and we are deeply grateful for their trust and support.
