Mother – Umm – Madre is the appropriate title for the opening concert of the third edition of the NewLands Festival (previously: Morgenland Festival), as this years theme is: Ode to Women. However diverse motherfigures can be in different cultures, they have óne thing in common: they embody the notion of ‘home’. In a time when many people are forced to abandon their homes and try to build a new home elsewhere, a.o. in the Netherlands this theme is both gripping and actual.

Two female world stars, soprano Nuria Rial and Mezzo soprano Dima Orsho (also composer), reach into the unknown. They discover each others cultural and artistic backgrounds, in collaboration with the Alta Rupa Baroque ensemble lead by flutist Danya Segal, who initiated the project. Besides the beautiful baroque music by Handel and Telemann, new work by Dima Orsho will be performed, titled ISHTAR: The Great Mother. Traditional European instruments are harmonised by Arabic instruments, in a performance by three virtuoso’s: Milad Khawam on trumpet and duduk (double reed-instrument), Mevan Younes on buzuq (lute) and Hogir Göregen (percussion).

Núria Rial soprano (occident), Dima Orsho mezzosoprano (orient)

Musica Alta Ripa & Milad Khawam dudok/trumpet, Mevan Younes buzuq, Hogir Göregen percussion

Danya Segal artistic concept