THE MEDITERRANEAN CONCERTPROGRAM PROGRAM OPENING SPEECH

Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa Art transforms reality. Kingdom of Art can change the world. José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero When Onuart Foundation asked me to collaborate with The Fundación ONUART is honoured to organize The Former President of the Spanish Government, them in the staging of this concert, I thought it was Mediterranean Concert, the first concert to take place in Co-founder of the Alliance of Civilizations an excellent opportunity to present the music the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Chamber at REMARKS BY and culture of the Mediterranean peoples at the the Palais des Nations. The objective of this concert is to pay an important tribute to Mediterranean music and its value Michel Sidibé headquarters of the United Nations. I hope this in creating a common space between different civilizations Executive Director of UNAIDS musical event, under the protective roof of my friend of the Mediterranean Sea, promoting intercultural dialogue Miquel Barceló, serves to know each other better, to and understanding between civilizations. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser collaborate on new projects and, above all, to work United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations and to achieve, by the sea that unites us, a future in peace, full of hope and opportunity for all. Secretary-General for the Union for the Mediterranean

Maria del Mar Bonet Miguel Ángel Moratinos President of Fundación ONUART

2 The Mediterranean Concert Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva 3 THE MEDITERRANEAN CONCERT PROGRAM SONG SINGER SONG SINGER

1. Merhaba Morocco’s Royal Symphony Orchestra 16. Chacun sa came Sapho VARIOUS AUTHORS AUTHOR: TRADITIONAL BRAZILIAN SONG LYRICS: SAPHO

2. Desde a l’Alguer María del Mar Bonet 17. Mamam j’aime le voyous Sapho TRADITIONAL SARDINIAN SONG LYRICS: ALBERT GARCIA AUTHOR: SAPHO

3. La Dama d’Aragó María del Mar Bonet 18. El Altal (fragment) Sapho TRADITIONAL CATALAN SONG VERSION: MARIA DEL MAR BONET AUTHOR: OUM KALSOUM, RIAD SOMBATI AND IBRAHIM NAGUI

4. Sempre hi ha vent María del Mar Bonet 19. Bellaroussa Vakia Stravou TRADITIONAL MAJORCA SONG AUTHOR: VAKIA STRAVOU

5. Strosse to stoma sou María Farantouri and María del Mar Bonet 20. Thalassino nero Vakia Stravou AUTHOR: POEM OF IAKOVOS KAMPANELLIS AUTHOR: VAKIA STRAVOU

6. Tis Dikaeosynis Helie Noete María Farantouri 21. Masâr Le Trio Joubran AUTHOR: MIKIS THEODORAKIS POEM OF ODYSSEUS ELYTIS AUTHORS: LE TRIO JOUBRAN

7. Adînu bidîni I-hubbi Aïcha Redouane 22. Sama Cordoba Le Trio Joubran AUTHORS: AÏCHA REDOUANE AND HABIB YAMMINE POEM OF IBN ARABÎ AUTHORS: LE TRIO JOUBRAN 23. Solstice Renzo Spiteri 8. Uhibbuka hubabayn Aïcha Redouane AUTHORS: RENZO SPITERI AUTHORS: AÏCHA REDOUANE AND HABIB YAMMINE POEM OF RÂBI’A AL-ADAWIYYA 24. O’ Surdato Innamorato Francesca Schiavo 9. Jay ala Bali Hani Mitwasi AUTHOR: ANIELLO CALIFANO AUTHOR: ZAID MODHE 25. Voce’ e Notte Francesca Schiavo 10. Ya Tair Ya Tayer Hani Mitwasi AUTHOR: EDOARDO NICOLARDI TRADITIONAL JORDANIAN SONG 26. Cette terre est pour nous tous Tania Kassis 11. Dido Yosra Zekri Al Ardou Lel Jami1 AUTHOR: JALOUL AYED This Land is for All 12. Trab Bledi Yosra Zekri AUTHORS: FADI RAI AND TANIA KASSIS The Concert will last AUTHOR: EMNA RMILI COMPOSER: MICHEL FADEL ON AN ADAPTATION OF CARL ORFF approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes without a break. 27. Islamo-Christian Ave Maria Tania Kassis with 13. Diamond in the Rough Hossam Ramzy Ara Malikian collaboration AUTHOR: HOSSAM RAMZY COMPOSER: GIULIO CACCINI ARRANGERS: TANIA KASSIS AND MICHEL FADEL All songs have been especially adapted for Morocco’s Royal 14. Vestida de nit Silvia Pérez Cruz 28. Bourdj Hammoud Ara Malikian Symphony Orchestra by The AUTHORS: CASTOR PÉREZ AND GLÒRIA CRUZ AUTHOR: ARA MALIKIAN Mediterranean Concert Music Director Mr Toni Cuenca. 15. Gallo rojo, Gallo negro Silvia Pérez Cruz 29. Southern Wind All the artists AUTHOR: CHICHO SÁNCHEZ FERLOSIO HYMN FOR PEACE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AUTHOR: TONI CUENCA

4 The Mediterranean Concert Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva 5 MOROCCO’S ROYAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Royal Symphony Orchestra of Morocco was created with the aim of promoting Moroccan musicians internationally, Toffering them a highly professional environment. It seeks to enrich the country’s artistic heritage and to enable a better dissemination of symphonic music. For this concert in the United Nations the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Morocco present a formation of 27 of its musicians:

As part of its artistic seasons, the Fayz KASHKAROV 1st violin orchestra offers several programmes (chef d’attaque) Brahim EL HADDAOUI cello with different genres. Its repertoire Khadija CHAMKHI 1st violin (chef d’attaque) Saloua YAHYIOUI french horn ranges from classical music to Smail RAZIKI 1st violin Mohssine EL MAMOUNE cello Marouane MOUDAFI french horn contemporary works and jazz, not Soufiane BELATOUANI 1st violin Rachid BERRAI cello Ilham AKHELLAHYOUN drums and forgetting chamber music. The Orchestra has also successfully Ayoub QADMOUN 1st violin Khalid SLIFIA double bass percussion produced the ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Sanae EL HACHOUMI 2nd violin Hassan MIMOUNI flute Rachid EL KHLIFI trombone In addition to these regular concerts, Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker (January (chef d’attaque) Pestereva TATIANA oboe Akoulina VARLAMOVA harp the Royal Symphony Orchestra 2011), Swan Lake (January 2012) and The Redouane CHEBLI 2nd violin Adil LOISSAME clarinet Yury GLUZBERG piano Ghizlane GOUNDAL 2nd violin Mohammed ECH-CHARFI bassoon regularly participates in the Sleeping Beauty (January 2013) as well Sara ECH-CHARFI 2nd violin Mohammed ZIANI trumpet Festival and won the consideration of as the ballet Coppélia by Léo Délibes viola (January 2014), Don Quixote by Léon Younes ALLALI the stars it has accompanied such as (chef d’attaque) Minkus (January 2015) and La traviata by Sting, Roger Hodgson, Nigel Kennedy or Jawad TAIRA viola Giuseppe Verdi (January 2016). George Benson. Aicha AGHANIM viola

6 The Mediterranean Concert Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva 7 director, composer, producer Islands with jazz, taking part in the MARIA TONI and bassist born in Sabadell Horacio Icasto trio and participating DEL MAR CUENCA A (), he has lived for 17 in different chamber ensembles such BONET MUSICAL years on the island of Mallorca. He began as the Mallorca Island Orchestra, the SPAIN DIRECTOR his guitar studies in his home town at Youth Orchestra of the & ORCHESTRAL age 8 and at 15 entered a Barcelona and the Euro Classic Orchestra. DIRECTOR classroom to study jazz electric bass. He studied guitar at the Conservatory In his long career he has played and orn in , when young she moved to of Sabadell, double bass at the recorded works with leading jazz and Barcelona, where she started a musical career that Conservatory of Palma de Mallorca and flamenco figures such as Paco de Lucia, would take her to travel the European continent, orchestration and composition with Concha Buika, Peter Erskine, Alex B North Africa, the United States, Cuba, South America and Professor Tito Capblanquet at Berklee Acuna, Gary Willis, Chano Dominguez Japan. Among her most emblematic concerts, the highlights College. and Jorge Pardo. He has produced and are the Olympia Theatre in , festivals in , Istanbul worked with renowned artists such and Edinburgh and especially those staged every summer in On his arrival in Mallorca he met Tete as Miguel Rios, Santiago Auserón, the Plaza del Rey in Barcelona, which for years have attracted Montoliu, Max Suñer, Carles Benavent Ismael Serrano, Raimundo Amador, a large audience. Cultures, peoples, music, languages and and Salvador Niebla, with whom he Javier Vargas, Kiko Veneno, Horacio history of the Mediterranean have always been the benchmark had the opportunity to share a stage, Icasto, Antonio Vega, Maria del Mar Photo: Juan Miguel Morales and inspiration for her personal and artistic life, leading her to record more than forty albums and to being considered one of He has received numerous awards for his artistic the best Mediterranean voices by many. work, having been recognised by the Spanish Academy of Music and the Cuba Disco Festival.

also as part of the Dave Schnitter Jazz Bonet, Dave Stewart, Molly Duncan MARIA Messengers band. He began his career and Tomatito and has written and FARANTOURI by studying bass with Professor Yana composed various symphonic works for Alexieva at the Palma Conservatory. the Orchestra of the Balearic islands, At the same time he was alternating the Madrid Symphonic Band and the classes with David Heyes of the London Vallés Symphony Orchestra. Bass School. aria Farantouri is well quality, combined with a fine instinct for As a conductor he has led the known all over the world dramatic and lyrical expression, are the IIn 1996 he moved to London to join Presidential Symphony Orchestra of as the ideal interpreter of main features of her art. The Guardian saxophonist Malcolm Duncan of Dire Turkey, the Symphony Orchestra of M the works of Mikis Theodorakis and wrote: “She is unique, her voice is a gift Straits fame. With him he launched Istanbul, the Symphony Orchestra Manos Hadzithakis. She has played an from the Gods of Olympus”. Le Monde the Acid Jazz album, reaching Nr. 1 on of Sofia, the Symphony Orchestra of important role in the movement for the described her as “The Joan Baez of the the charts in Japan, from where they Girona, the Vallès Symphony Orchestra, revival of Greek music. Her rich contralto Mediterranean” and The Daily Telegraph began their international tour. At that the Film Chamber Orchestra and the voice with its broad range and melodic as “The Maria Callas of the people”. time, he combined his residency at the Symphony Orchestra of the Balearic Symphony Orchestra of the Balearic Islands.

8 The Mediterranean Concert Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva Foto: Falkonis 9 TANIA ARA HANI KASSIS MALIKIAN LEBANON MITWASI LEBANON JORDAN

warded the Lebanese Accomplishment Medal, Tania ani Mitwasi is a top Jordanian star and an International artist. He obtained his Kassis performed in high places such as the Olympia BA in music science at the Jordan Academy of Music in 2005. In addition, his A in Paris, the Sydney Opera House and Lebanon’s H 5 years’ study of the flamenco guitar led him to an in-depth exploration of a Presidential Palace. Awarded a Murex d’Or as “Lebanese language halfway between Arabic and Spanish music, which inspired him to create his Ambassador of International Theaters” and for Watani, “Best own distinguished ‘Franco-Arabic’ style. In 2006 and 2007 Hani released his first two Patriotic Song of 2015”, Tania Kassis embodies the new age albums, remaking ancient traditional songs in his own modern style, which became of Lebanese cultural beauty with a multilingual pop-opera popular among both old and young audiences. In 2009, Hani signed a contract with style. She is the Honorary Ambassador of the South Korean Platinum Records, with whom he released a new album with his own original songs, and Contingent of the UNIFIL and is releasing her new song “This in 2010 Hani won the Jordan Music Award for best Jordanian artist of that year. In 2012 Land Is For All” produced in collaboration with the UN. Hani represented Jordan in a big production of Quincy Jones’ A Song for Peace (Bokra).

Some of his hit songs are: Jay alal Bali, Ya mohra, Mawtini and Ahwali matsoresh.

SAPHO FRANCE

e is undoubtedly one of the most brilliant and expressive violinists of his generation. Possessing a orn in Marrakech, in a Moroccan Jewish family, Sapho H unique style, forged from his origins and rich musical arrived to Paris at the age of eighteen. She goes from experience, his violin embodies one of the most original B theatre experience to music, combining the vitality of and innovative voices on the music scene. An inexhaustible rock with Berber, Oriental and African influences she carries musical and human restlessness led him to immerse himself in within her. his own Armenian roots and to assimilate the music of other This “singer of the world,” unclassifiable and polyglot, also turns cultures of the Middle East (Arabic and Jewish), Central Europe to the literature, providing his voice to authors who are close to (Gypsy and Klezmer), Argentina (tango) and Spain (Flamenco), her heart. all in a very personal language filled with the virtuosity and The career that leads her to move around the world does not stop expressiveness of the great European classical tradition. her for writing novels and books of poetry. Her last two books are: Words do not suffice to describe one of his concerts, because White poetry book published by Éditions Bruno Doucey (August they are ultimately like an odyssey that improves on real life. 2014) and the Turkish room, novel published by Editions Le Castor Audiences who have experienced them know better. Astral (April 2015). © O. Steiner/Pecheteau 10 The Mediterranean Concert Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva 11 SÍLVIA PÉREZ AÏCHA CRUZ REDOUANE SPAIN MOROCCO

ilvia Pérez Cruz (Palafrugell, Girona, 1983) is one of the most powerful S voices to have appeared in recent times on the Iberian Peninsula. She speaks nternationally renowned Moroccan diva Aïcha Redouane the language of music for as long as she can has reinvigorated the musical school of the art of remember, growing up listening to Iberian Arabic maqam founded with Lebanese composer Habib folk songs and receiving an education in I Yammine al-Adwar. She has an exceptional voice, an important classical music and jazz. Influenced by classical singing repertoire and has recorded numerous flamenco through a connection that seems albums and compositions on Arabic Sufi poetry. She has been supernatural, she sings in a poignant way invited to prestigious world concert halls and festivals such as that is only hers. She has been part of many Unesco, Brussels Opera, Paris, Fes, Baku Davos Forum, New albums and projects. She has recently York and Abu Dhabi among others. She dedicates her art to released “Domus”. She won two gold intercultural and spiritual dialogue for peace. records for her previous albums, “Granada” and “November 11”. Photo: Xavier Vila

HOSSAM LE TRIO RAMZY JOURBAN EGYPT PALESTINE

or a certain set of devotees, From the Bedouin camps of omprising three brothers: Samir, Wissam and Hossam Ramzy is the very to Egyptian baladi—the urban folk and Adnan, their repertoire is filled with magnificent F essence of world percussion. dance music that is his native tongue— C improvisations and rich subtle melodies, composed Among those disciples are Pete Ramzy fuses sounds from around with a deep knowledge of the oud that has such outstanding Gabriel, , , the world in performances that are importance in Palestinian culture. They have appeared on Joan Armatrading, Chick Corea, Joe expansive and earthy, overflowing with some of the most relevant stages around the world, gaining Bonamassa and Jay-Z, who represent mesmerizing rhythms. An international an impressive reputation amongst world music bands. It is a fraction of the stars this renowned cohort of like-minded musicians backs true that the maqāmāt, scales and modes of Arab music are darbuka (Egyptian tabla) player has him for an intoxicating evening. the basis of their compositions, steeped in the traditions of worked with in his illustrious career. their native Palestine.

Foto: Marc Ginot 12 The Mediterranean Concert Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva 13 VAKIA STAVROU CYPRUS

inger and songwriter Vakia Stavrou, who became well-known in Europe when she launched her own composition “Sozinha”, was described by the S international press as “a heart-breaking voice” and gave numerous solo concerts in prestigious theatres and festivals in Europe. Signed under the French label “ Accords Croisés”, her new upcoming album will be released in Autumn 2016 to be performed in a series of concerts. Her songs “Thalassino nero / Sea Water“ and “Bellaroussa”, which are presented tonight, were composed and written by her and both are a luminous example of her Mediterranean heritage, having been born and raised on the island of Cyprus. But FRANCESCA at the same time Vakia is a true “voyageuse du monde “ who knows no borders in SCHIAVO her musical career. ITALY

n 1990 she became the singer of the prestigious Orchestra YOSRA ZEKRI Italiana di Renzo Arbore, performing around the world, I including Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Gardens in New York and the Montreux Jazz Festival, with RENZO Quincy Jones as artistic director. She boasts three participations SPITERI osra Zekri est une chanteuse d’opéra, de musique maghrébine et du in the Sanremo Festival and has received numerous awards and MALTA contemporain. Elle à eu et le Premier Prix du Concours National de Tunis dans recognitions, including platinum in Italy for the album “Mina Y les meilleurs voix d’opéra en 2010, le 3eme Prix du Concours international contro Battisti” and gold in Greece with Stefanos Korkolis. She de chant lyrique de Vivonne France en 2013. Elle est Diplômée en chant lyrique participated with Nino Buonocore in the album “Ciao Roberto”, à l’institut supérieur de musique de Tunis en 2011 et en master 2 recherche en a tribute to the great Roberto Murolo, and was among the enzo Spiteri is “an artist who constantly surprises” and musique et musicologie en 2016 et elle à enregistré son premier CD à Copenhague, Demos Festival’s guest stars together with Patty Pravo and whose music “touches the soul directly”. This multi- des airs contemporains avec les poèmes du prince Henric du Danemark, composés Michael Pergolani. With Eddy Napoli she went on tour in the R faceted artist, renowned for his artistic versatility, par Frederik Magle et Eric Sprogis et accompagnés par l’Orchestre Symphonique du main European theatres. Alberto Pizzo chose her for his album creative use of sound and unlimited modes of expression, Danemark sous la direction du Eric Sprogis en 2016. “On The Way”, with David Knopfler, Toquinho, Mino Cinelu and performs in major venues and festivals around the world, Son programme pour le concert des cultures de la méditerranéenne est : la chanson Fabrizio Sotti. She is currently traveling the world with “Recital presenting his own innovative solo works and collaborating ‘Dido’ qui parle de la reine Didon de Carthage et ‘Trab Bledi’ (Ma Patrie) qui chante la d’autore”, making her one of the finest interpreters of classic alongside artists from various genres of artistic expression to Tunisie de l’après-révolution. Neapolitan and Italian songs. create dynamic cross-cultural dialogues.

14 The Mediterranean Concert Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva 15 JOVAN MILOSEVSKI GUITARIST

Photo: Juan Miguel Morales ORIOL FERRER MUSICAL PRODUCER

Photo: Agustí Torres

pecialized in productions of major music, theatre and orn in the ex-Yugoslavian ONUART’s first major project was the full renovation dance projects, he has staged shows in Barcelona, republic of Macedonia, ROOM XX of the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilisations Room Rome, Paris, Edinburgh, Istanbul, Madrid and Mexico. he studied music in the CHAMBER OF THE ALLIANCE S B of the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The room, which In Barcelona he was deputy director of the Teatre Lliure and Conservatoire of Bitola and in the Palma OF CIVILIZATIONS incorporates into its dome an artwork created by the artist director of the Asia Festival, participating in projects with the de Mallorca Conservatoire, Spain. He Miquel Barceló, was opened on 18 November 2008 by Their Edinburgh Festival, the Grec Festival and the Perelada Festival. has played classical guitar programmes Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, the President of the He has also made films and documentary productions. As all around Europe as well as jazz and Spanish Government, the President of Turkey, the Secretary- a good friend and renowned theatre director once said, “our rock music. In this unique performance General of the United Nations and by various dignitaries and work in the entertainment world is to make people happy, but he plays classical and electric guitar, representatives of the international community. this is only possible if you have fun doing it”, which became bouzouki and mandolin. his motto. Currently the room is the permanent venue for the meetings of the United Nations Human Rights Council. More than one million people have visited the room so far.

Musica Producer Main Assistant: Claudi Feliu - Artists Assistant: Laura Magriñá

16 The Mediterranean Concert Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva 17 The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is an Group of Friends currently includes 144 Members of which are initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General. Established in 118 UN Member States and 26 international organizations. 2005, UNAOC is co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and They represent all continents, societies and cultures. Turkey. A High-Level Group of experts was formed to explore the roots of polarization between societies and cultures, and to recommend On March 1st , 2013 Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser assumed a practical programme of action to address this issue. In its 2006 the leadership of UNAOC as High Representative of the United report, the High-Level Group identified four priority areas for Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Prior to his current position, Mr. action namely, (Education, Youth, Migration, Media). UNAOC Al-Nasser was the President of the 66th Session of the United project activities are fashioned around these four areas, which Nations General Assembly. can play a critical role in helping to reduce cross-cultural tensions and to build bridges between communities. The Alliance benefits from the political support of the Group of Friends, a community of countries and international Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary-General has described organizations which actively promotes the Alliance’s objectives UNAOC as a soft power tool for bridging divides and promoting and work at the global, regional and local levels, as well as understanding between countries or identity groups, all with a worldwide. The Group is a driving force of UNAOC and plays a view toward preventing conflict and promoting social cohesion. Photo: Agustí Torres vital role in the UNAOC’s strategic planning and implementation Addressing the High Level Ministerial Meeting of the Group process. Through a broad dialogue-based and consensus-building Friends in October 2015, Mr. Ban said: “Leaders adopting the approach, the UNAOC High Representative seeks the input, global goals envisage a world of respect for racial, ethnic and establishing a more prominent presence of Contemporary Art in advice and support of the Group of Friends’ members on all key cultural diversity that is just, tolerant, equitable and open which FUNDACION their daily life. aspects of the UNAOC’s activities and its mandate. UNAOC is perfectly aligned with the mission statement of the Alliance.”

ONUART It takes place in this Chamber because of the room’s symbolism; the union of music and art in favour of political understanding PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES between civilizations. It is also an appeal by the cultural world The ONUART Foundation was established in 2007 by an for the respect of Human Rights and the moral duty to play down important group of major Spanish companies and the conflict. The artists taking part in this concert are a marvellous Foreign Affairs Ministry of Spain with the objective of example of human beings working together despite any political promoting closer ties between Contemporary Art and the conflict. International Organizations. Since then, the Foundation has evolved to become an international Foundation with the This Concert will be the first of a series of Concerts on the entry of patrons from different countries. Encounter of the Mediterranean Cultures that, once performed in the UN-Geneva, will be staged in historic sites around the Supporting the idea that Art is a powerful engine in the Mediterranean (Jerash, Carthage, Fez, Giza Pyramids etc.) to give development and promotion of societies, the Foundation works worldwide projection to the value of the Mediterranean heritage towards giving high visibility to International Organizations by and to help in its restoration.

18 The Mediterranean Concert Palais des Nations, United Nations, Geneva 19 THE MEDITERRANEAN CONCERT Saturday 9 July 2016

This concert is officially organized by:

United Nations Office at Geneva United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Kingdom of Morocco Fundación ONUART

Fundación ONUART wishes to express its appreciation to the Permanent Missions to the United Nations in Geneva of Cyprus, Egypt, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Palestine and , as well as to the institutional and private sponsors who support this important artistic event.