In this theatrical concert, musicians from Aleppo join forces with New European Ensemble to bring the rich musical traditions of their city to life. They paint a new sonic landscape in which the ancient city stirs; from houses of prayer and coffeehouses, age-old voices rise while cars honk and the air carries the scent of coffee, pepper and cinnamon.

A Ticket to Aleppo brings a warm-blooded musical dialogue between Arabic and Western traditions, revealing the vitality of the city. This concert brings together the rapture and spirituality of Aleppo with Western timbre, harmony and form. Instruments such as oud, qanun and riq are combined with violin, viola, cello and flute.

Spoken texts are in English.

Nour Wahdi vocals/oud, Salah Eddine Mesbah vocals, Porter Ellerman percussion, Felicia van den End flute, Rada Ovcharova violin, Emlyn Stam viola, Willem Stam cello, Jack Sabbagh qanun, Háshim Kabreet percussion/narrator, Modar Salama percussion

Tony Overwater composition/arrangements, Ted van Leeuwen musical director, Titia Bouwmeester direction