Karima Skalli, Asil Ensemble

Shubbak's opening concert, co-presented with the Abu Dhabi Festival, brings together some of the greatest musicians from across the Arab World. Moroccan singer Karima Skalli joins the Asil Ensemble to perform three Burdas-song cycles combining poetry and music, inspired by the greatest Arab composers and poets across the centuries. A well known classical Burda with words from the 12th century poems of Al Busari and the famous Nahj El Burda of Umm Kulthoum, with words by Ahmed Shawqi, join a new composition by oud virtuoso Mustafa Said, to words by contemporary Palestinian poet Tamim Barghouti.

The concert is preceded by a free concert honouring the 'Arab Paganni' Sami Al Shawa.

Presented by the Foundation for Arab Music Archiving & Research (AMAR) in association with Abu Dhabi Festival.