Tarab

In a male-dominated artistic field, she rose to the top, becoming a role model for change and women’s empowerment around the world.

Umm Kulthum’s influence extended into the realm of politics: with vibrant solidarity and public engagement, she advocated for a society in which everyone could participate—just as they could in her music.

Today, it seems more important than ever to harness the boundary-crossing power of this exceptional artist and transport people in Berlin-Neukölln into a trance-like state of collective ecstasy. طرب / TARAB creates a collage of diverse Umm Kulthum songs for three singers and performers, accompanied by the Berlin ensemble transmusica, in a unique stage experience. A performance that weaves music with expressive stage design, movement, and sensually dramatic forms of expression.

WITH Mireille Bittar, Rita El-Achkar, Waed Bouhassoun

MUSICIANS

ensemble transmusica – Valentin Link (bass), Bernd Oezsevim (drums), Jehad Jazbeh (solo violin), Mari Sawada / Vera Kardos (violin I), Angelika Feckl / Meike-Lu Schneider (violin II), Kundri Lu Schäfer (viola), Zoe Cartier / Lea Rahel Bader (cello), Deniz Mahir Kartal / Yazan Alsabbagh (clarinet & ney), Tarek Charbel (oud)

ARTISTIC DIRECTION / COMPOSITION Nesrine Belmokh MUSICAL DIRECTION / ARRANGEMENTS Frank Woeste DIRECTOR Sjaron Minailo SET DESIGN / STAGE Shahrzad Rahmani SET DESIGN ASSISTANT Sarah Schimke DRAMATURGY Nora Amin, Dennis Depta DRAMATURGICAL CONSULTANT Mieke Kolk ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / PRODUCTION MANAGER Joelina Spiess ENSEMBLE MANAGEMENT transmusica ensemble / MUSICAL CONSULTANT Sofia Surgutschowa

LANGUAGE Arabic, with brief descriptions in Arabic, English, and German