🎉 Imagine a night where music from all around the world comes together in one place! That’s exactly what happened in Oxford, England, when artists celebrated different cultures through amazing performances. 🌟
At the famous Holywell Music Room, the Art Beyond Borders Initiative (or ABBI for short) hosted a special concert that was like a trip around the world! 🌎🎶
What Made the Night So Special?
- Peking Opera: This is a traditional form of Chinese theater that combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics. Performers even spent three hours putting on their colorful makeup! 🎭🇨🇳
- Classical Indian Music: Aastha Mohapatra sang the “Song of Radha,” showcasing beautiful melodies called Raags. 🎤🇮🇳
- Arabic Poetry Songs: The song “Aatini Al Naya Wa Ghanni,” inspired by the poems of Khalil Gibran, told deep stories through music. 🎶🇸🇾
People in the audience got to hear instruments and songs they had never experienced before. It was like opening a treasure chest of new sounds! 💎
Why Did They Do It?
Betty Yan, the founder of ABBI and a music researcher at Oxford, wanted to share different kinds of music with everyone. She noticed that many talented artists didn’t have the chance to show their art to the world. 🌍
“Sometimes, people don’t know about different art forms simply because they’ve never had a chance to see them,” she said. “We wanted to change that!” 🎉
The Performers’ Thoughts
Aastha Mohapatra, a soprano singer from India, was excited to share her music. “Not many opera singers come from India,” she said. “I’ve been singing for over 15 years, and I love bringing Eastern voices to the stage.” 🎤💕
The performers felt that by sharing their unique music, they were also learning more about their own cultures. It’s like making new friends while remembering your old ones! 🤝
What Did the Audience Think?
People watching the concert were amazed. Andrianna, a student from Ukraine, said, “It’s incredible to see different traditions change how we think about classical music.” 🎻😊
Everyone left the concert with new songs in their hearts and a bigger appreciation for the world’s diverse cultures. 🌟
What’s Next?
This concert was just the beginning! ABBI plans to host more events, including an international opera festival and collaborative art projects. Who knows what amazing music we’ll hear next? 🎶✨
So, the next time you listen to music, maybe try something new from a different part of the world. You might discover a new favorite song! 🎧❤️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
