In the theatrical concert Song of the Reed, Calefax meets the world-famous Iranian singer Mohammad Motamedi. Song of the Reed is a poem by the 13th century Persian poet and philosopher Rumi about ‘being torn from the reed bed’. This concert is about being torn from your homeland and cultural traditions, and the complex experiences of the newcomer in a different society. Via texts read in both Farsi and Dutch by the Iranian writer Sholeh Rezazadeh, who is a resident of Amsterdam, the musicians shed light on cultural differences between Iran and the Netherlands. The cultural differences will be audible: traditional Persian music in contrast to new notes by the Dutch composer Joël Bons. A challenging cultural search in music and spoken word, with attempts at rapprochement.

credits

Music: traditional Persian music, Claude Debussy, Heinrich Isaac, and a new composition by Joël Bons
Texts: Sholeh Rezazadeh and Aisan Maghsoudi
Light: Theun Mosk
Staging: Titus Tiel Groenestege