In these pages you will hopefully find interesting tips on how to take advantage of Cairo's many cultural opportunities, with particular attention to live events. Cairo Live Events Guide does not pretend to be exhaustive but will try to cover main events open to the public.

This is a private, independent, nonprofit endeavour. This blog was started in August 2008 by Cairowanderer who has been running it solo up to May 2011. Since then Cairene Beat contributes as well to the blog. If you have any comment, tip, or information you think might be relevant for the blog, please write to cairowanderer@gmail.com or cairenebeat@gmail.com.

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Thursday, September 4, 2008

Qithara Ensemble

Founded and led since 1999 by Dr. Alfred Gamil, professor at the Higher Institute for Arabic Music, the six-instrument ensemble (Oud, Qanun, Nay, Rhythm, Violin and Piano) Qithara focuses on the roots of Egypt’s musical heritage with the stated aim of reviving Modern Classic Egyptian music.
Dr. Gamil early studies concentrated on the oud (lute), but later concentrated on the violin that is now the instrument he plays in the group. A componist as well, he masters Arabic, Middle Eastern and maqam-based musical traditions and gives an enormous contribute to the success of this group. In it he welcomes not only fellow academics but also promising students. One of them is the (by now graduated) young vocalist Mohammed Ali, called “one of Egypts most promising voices” by Al Ahram newspaper. Greatly gifted, he is one of the three singers that accompany the ensemble.
The concerts of the ensemble are famous for the dazzling virtuosity and improvising powers of the artists. Though their approach is deeply rooted in tradition, their repertoire includes Arabic songs that incorporate western operatic elements as well and they constantly premiere new original works.
They have toured internationally, including in America, Canada and Europe and are a renowned name in the World Music scene.

For more informations see their website www.qithara.com

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