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NASSIMA—SINGER AND AMBASSADOR OF CLASSICAL ARAB-ANDALUSIAN MUSIC—
PERFORMS IN ZANKEL HALL ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25 AT 10:00 PM 

On Friday, February 25 at 10:00 p.m. in Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall presents Nassima, vocalist and ambassador of the classical Andalusian music of Algeria, who performs a program of traditional songs along with popular Algerian chaabi and Sufi music from the Maghreb region in northwest Africa. Noted for her tireless advocacy in defense of the poetic and musical art of Andalusia, and for preserving the ancient classical Arab-Andalusian genre which was traditionally associated with males, Nassima accompanies herself on mandola for her Zankel Hall debut performance. She is accompanied by: Hend Zouari, qanun (or zither); Farhat Bouallagui, violon, and viola; Amar Chaoui, percussion; Rabah Khalfa, derbouka (or goblet-shaped drum), tar and def (frame drums); and Mohamed Abdennour, oud (or lute), guitar and gumbri. Known throughout her thirty-year career for her exceptional timbre and warm yet powerful voice, the virtuoso mezzo-soprano’s songs express a yearning for universal love and peace and a desire to keep a millennium of Sufi mysticism alive. This concert is presented in partnership with the World Music Institute.

Prior to Nassima’s performance, beginning at 9:00 p.m., concert-goers are invited to enjoy a laid-back pre-concert experience in the Zankel Hall lounge and meet others who share their passion for music. The first 200 concert-goers to arrive will receive a complimentary drink, courtesy of Carnegie Hall. For more information please visit: carnegiehall.org/latenights

About The Artist
A fervent ambassador of the Andalusian music of Algeria, Nassima is noted for her renditions of the san’a musical tradition, and her role in preserving the ancient genre which traditionally was associated with males. Born in the small town of Blida (near Algiers at the foot of the Chrea Mountains in Algeria), Nassima was enrolled in the municipal conservatory at the age of seven where she studied instrumental technique and voice under the brilliant Dahmane Benachour, and the violin under his associate Hadj Medjbeur. She was later admitted to the prestigious El Widadia Music Association. Her career took off in 1979 when she was asked to record an anthology of Arab-Andalusian music for Algerian Television and Radio. Since 1984, Nassima has performed in renowned venues the world over. Her career highlights include performances of the complete Nuba Zidane accompanied by the Algiers Symphony Orchestra and appearances at the Theatre de la Ville, UNESCO in Paris, and the World Sacred Music Festival of Fes in Morocco, among others. While she excels in the art of nuba (suites of vocal and instrumental pieces), she also promotes the tradition of M'samaate (female ensembles of Algiers region), and the works of Sufi mystics. She has recorded numerous albums including Andalusian Music of Algiers, and Sufi Spirit, Spirit of Love.


Program Information
Friday, February 25 at 10:00 p.m.
Zankel Hall
NASSIMA
Nassima, vocals and mandola
Hend Zouari, qanun
Farhat Bouallagui, violon and viola
Amar Chaoui, percussion
Rabah Khalfa, derbouka, tar, and def
Mohamed Abdennour, oud, guitar and gumbri

Presented by Carnegie Hall in partnership with World Music Institute.


Bank of America is the Proud Season Sponsor of Carnegie Hall.