SUNDAY, 13 APRIL 2025 (FACTORY163)
MONDAY, 14 APRIL 2025 (THE LOCAL)
Visiting from her home in London, England, Rihab Azar, virtuoso of the Oud, joins the INNERchamber Ensemble to share premières of some of her new works ahead of her debut album release in 2026.
While deeply rooted in the authentically Middle-Eastern character of the Oud, Rihab’s music possesses a uniquely intimate and daring identity of its own which The Arts Desk described as “infinitely tender and haunting.”
Rich imagery and introspection infuse the program, inviting the audience on a journey of depth and imagination.Alongside Rihab’s original works are pieces by the late renowned Nubian composer, Oud master and vocalist Hamza El Din, Palestinian composer and one of the finest Oud players of our time, Ahmad Al Khatib, and the late Adnan Abul-Shamat, master of the iconic Syrian genre Muwashahat.
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The concert will be performed twice: a ticketed event on Sunday, April 13 at Factory163, and a non-ticketed concert during The Local's free Monday Night Community Dinner on Monday, April 14. All are welcome to enjoy the dinner. The PWYC concert at The Local goes from 4 to 5 pm, overlapping with the Community Dinner that is available from 4:30 to 6 pm. Places are available on a first come, first served basis. The concert at Factory163 will also be video recorded and the video will be available Wednesday, April 16 for the following 3 weeks.
Performers
Rihab Azar, oud
INNERchamber Ensemble
Andrew Chung, violin
Ben Bolt-Martin, cello
Graham Hargrove, percussion
Venue
Factory163
163 King Street
Stratford, Ontario​
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The Local
612 Erie St
Stratford, ON
Program
Works by Rihab Azar, Hamza El Din, Ahmad Al Khatib, and Adnan Abul-Shamat
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Sponsors
Accountable Automotive - Concert Sponsor
Loreena McKennitt - Guest Artist Sponsor
Tobi and Bert Burbach - Concert Partner
Marilyn and Paul Smith - Concert Partner
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