The 26th Edition of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music came to an end on the night of Sunday, June 12. Hosted in four separate venues across the historic city, this edition celebrated an impressive variety of global music.
Amongst the weekend’s performers were artists from Senegal, Kazakhstan, Lebanon and India, while the lineup for the final day boasted musicians from France, Sardinia, as well as from Oman and Morocco.
Sunday began with piano and soprano duo Michael Levinas and Marian Grange. Levinas, who hails from France and has strong links to Morocco through his father, performed melodies on the poems of Paul Celan. These musical pieces held Jewish tradition within their inspiration and had an important meaning to Levinas.
Later in the day, the Ensemble La Tempete took to the stage in Fes’ Jardin Jnane Sbile to perform “From Fes to Jerusalem.” Conducted by Simon-Pierre Bastion, the group presented a series of inspiring tunes that consisted of Mediterranean and oriental origin.
As the title suggests, the performance paid homage to the city of Jerusalem, and the multiculturalism that it represents. This was reflected in the work of the ensemble, who offered pieces in 12 different languages during their set.
Dressed in all-black, the group displayed a sublime variety of pitches and tones, accompanied by equally elegant instrumental sounds. The ensemble was also joined by Georges Abdallah and Milena Jeliazkova, who added to the already outstanding vocal aspect of the set.
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This was followed by Gavino Murgia and Tenore Goine di Nuoro. Murgia and the group accompanying him performed at the traditional riad Dar Adiyel in the heart of the medina. The Sardinians treated guests to a unique set of vocals and songs steeped in tradition.
With Murgia leading the vocals, four members of Tenore Goine di Nuoro displayed true technique to hit incredible low tones with a perfect harmony with one another. Murgia also performed musical pieces on traditional Sardinian flutes and brass instruments. The vocal masterclass was complimented superbly by authentic Moroccan architecture at Dar Adiyel.
To conclude the day, and also the event, hundreds of guests made their way to Bab Makina Plaza. The show began with the performance of the Omani Ensemble Al Zawya. The large collective of singers and instrumental players offered the audience with flawless and authentic Omani sounds.
Next was the highly anticipated Andalusi inspired performance by the Orchestre de Fes. Accompanied by the Chantres of Meknes and directed by Mohamed Briouel, the orchestra wrapped up the festival in true style.
Playing a series of Moroccan favorites and traditional pieces, the Fes collective got the crowd clapping, chanting and on their feet by the end of the night. These songs have been played across the kingdom for hundreds of years, and are still enjoyed just as much today as when they were first introduced by Andalusians who migrated to Morocco.
Once again, the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music delivered on another weekend of diverse and sublime music. The city provided the perfect backdrop to each performance, with every location celebrating Moroccan heritage and style.
