Harmonies Across the Seas

If any instrument is synonymous with serenading, it is the Italian mandolin. A single note from this utterly romantic instrument can send you into a reverie. Imagine the sound of three beautifully played mandolins, along with the seductive strains of two acoustic guitars accompanied by a sonorous double bass – and you have Palermo’s fabulous Quintetto a Pizzico ‘Nomos’. (Quintet plucking in the ‘nomos’ style of Greek epics)

Now add the distinctive sounds of the Arabian qanoon (zither), the oud, and the Eastern violin along with drumming and percussion – and you have the astonishingly harmonious Italian-Omani orchestra that thrilled the audience at Bait Al Zubair in a runaway-hit performance last week.

Called The Sounds of Italy and Oman – Harmonies across the Seas, the concert was the last of many excellent cultural events organised over the past three and a half years by the Italian Ambassador, HE Paola Amadei, as she finishes her remarkable tour of duty this month. Her aim was to unite the two countries symbolically through music - and she succeeded admirably.

The first part of the programme featured the Quintetto a Pizzio with entrancing renditions of the prelude to Verdi’s La Traviata and Rossini’s Barber of Seville. These familiar and greatly loved orchestral pieces took on a sparkling new life as the mandolins fluttered magically, the guitars seemed to transcend the usual strings and the double bass added gravitas.

As Omani players from Oman’s Oud Hobbyists Association joined the Quintet, the oud, the violins and percussion instruments seemed a natural fit, but it was the qanoonthat was a wonderful surprise. Played by virtuosic musician, Wahab Al Danki, the lively and eloquent qanoon proved to be a brilliant complement, especially to the mandolins. And I loved the way the song of the oud danced with the guitars and mandolins. The Omani and Italian players developed a wonderful and genuine personal rapport with just three days of rehearsal. The resulting harmonies seemed neither Western nor Eastern, but something quite new and exciting.

Among the special stars of the evening not so far mentioned were the famous Italian mandolinist EmanueleBuzi from the Conservatorio do Polermo; special guest Iraqi-Hungarian, Omar Bashir on the oud; and, Eastern-style violinist, Tahra Al Balushi. But all the musicians were outstanding and it is a pleasure to acknowledge them here: Nibras Almullah, oud; Nasser Al Kindi, violin; Ahmed Al Siabi, percussion; Raffaela Pullara, mandolin; Mauro Scembri, mandolin/mandola; Flaviod’ Ambra, guitar; Giovanni Gonfaloni, guitar; and Andrea Scimé, double bass. The Chief Guest was Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of Heritage & Culture and the concert was graced by the presence of HE Mohammad Al Zubair, Advisor to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, for Economic Affairs.

Two standing ovations, a rousing encor, and jubilant cheering brought the evening to a triumphant close. — [email protected]