Constantinople - Oum Kalthoum & Khayyam's Quatrains

Oum Kalthoum & Khayyam's Quatrains

This production pays tribute to the legendary Oum Kalthoum and her unforgettable interpretation of Omar Khayyam's Quatrains.

Premiered to a sold-out audience at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, it brings together long-time artistic collaborator Ghalia Benali and Constantinople in a sensitive reimagining of this musical legacy, where Persian and Arab traditions, early music, and contemporary creation meet in dialogue.

At the heart of the program are Oum Kalthoum's celebrated songs inspired by Khayyam's poetry, revisited and placed in conversation with other quatrains by the great Persian poet, newly set to music by Kiya Tabassian. Works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Marin Marais, and Dimitrie Cantemir further enrich this musical journey in original arrangements created for Constantinople and the voice of Ghalia Benali.

For Ghalia Benali, the iconic Egyptian singer remains a profound source of inspiration: "As a child, Oum Kalthoum was the voice of God. Her voice touched the soul, not only the ears." Through this deeply personal tribute, Benali's distinctive voice revives the spirit of the great diva while offering it a fresh resonance.

A concert where poetry, memory, and creation come together to celebrate the timeless work of Omar Khayyam and the incomparable legacy of Oum Kalthoum.