Haymanot Tesfa

The music of the Ethiopian highlands uses a unique pentatonic modal system called qenet, of which there are four main modes: tezeta, bati, ambassel, and anchihoy. Many songs take the name of their associated qenet, such as 'Tezeta', a famous song of reminiscence and nostalgia.

Amharic singer and krar (a traditional Ethiopian lyre) player Haymanot Tesfa was born and raised in Ethiopia and now lives in the UK. Accompanied by various instruments, she seeks inspiration from the secular and religious music of her Ethiopian roots, while remaining fiercely experimental.

In this concert, Haymanot will performing vibrant new renditions of iconic Ethiopian songs such as Tezeta and Ambassel, as well as some of her own compositions.