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<\/a>\n\u201cPartnering with Massey Hall to open this year\u2019s Duende Festival is a meaningful step for the Aga Khan Museum and for the festival,\u201d said Amirali Alibhai, Head of Performing Arts at the Aga Khan Museum. \u201cIt reflects our commitment to contributing to Toronto\u2019s cultural life through performances that are both world-class and welcoming. This year\u2019s program invites audiences to experience flamenco in conversation with qawwali, Persian music and dance traditions as a vivid, emotional, and deeply human live experience.\u201d<\/p>
\nThe Qawwali Flamenco <\/i>project brings together qawwali \u2014 a Sufi devotional music tradition from South Asia \u2014 and flamenco, revealing resonances between two traditions known for vocal intensity, improvisation, rhythm and spiritual expression. First conceived at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco in 2005, Pakistani qawwali master Faiz Ali Faiz and flamenco guitar virtuoso Juan G\u00f3mez \u201cChicuelo\u201d reunite for a one-night-only performance to open the festival at Massey Hall<\/a>.<\/p> \nThe festival also presents the world premiere of Blackbird: In the Footsteps of Ziryab<\/i>, a Persian-Andalusian collaboration. The work is inspired by Ziryab, the ninth-century musician and cultural figure associated with the movement of music, aesthetics and ideas across the Islamic world and Al-Andalus. Flamenco dancer Oscar de los Reyes and musicians Amir Amiri and Gaspar Rodriguez bring flamenco and Persian traditions into conversation through music, song, rhythm and dance.<\/p> \nOther performances include:<\/b><\/p> \nGet the full Duende experience:<\/b><\/p> \nThis year\u2019s festival pass allows audiences to experience four Museum performances across one weekend, with access to masterclasses and preferred pricing for the Massey Hall opening performance.<\/p> \nTickets go on sale to the public starting on July 30. More information about the festival can be found on the Aga Khan Museum website<\/a>.<\/p> \nThe Museum\u2019s Performing Arts programming is generously supported by the Nanji Family Foundation.\n \nAbout the Aga Khan Museum<\/b><\/p> \nT<\/b>he Aga Khan Museum<\/a> in Toronto, Canada, has been established and developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational activities and performing arts, the Museum\u2019s mission is to spark wonder, curiosity, and understanding of Muslim cultures and their connection with other cultures through the arts. Designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, the Museum shares a 6.8-hectare site with Toronto\u2019s Ismaili Centre, which was designed by architect Charles Correa. The surrounding landscaped park was designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic.<\/p> \nAbout Massey Hall:<\/b><\/p> \nMassey Hall<\/a> is one of Canada\u2019s most revered cultural institutions and a designated National Historic Site. Built in 1894 by Hart Massey, Massey Hall was gifted to the citizens of Toronto and now operates as a charitable not-for-profit organization. Remaining true to Massey\u2019s vision, the organization devotes much of its focus to artist development, community outreach, and educational programming.<\/p> \nFOR PRESS INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:<\/b><\/p> \nE<\/b>ric Tang<\/b>\n
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