Khayyam & Oum Kalthoum

This creation pays tribute to the legendary figure of Oum Kalthoum and her interpretation of Omar Khayyam’s quatrains. Together with long term collaborator singer Ghalia Benali, ensemble Constantinople reimagines her musical universe through an innovative aesthetic that brings together Persian and Arabic traditions, early music, and contemporary creation. It offers a fresh perspective on Oum Kalthoum’s legacy through a dialogue between eras and musical cultures, while celebrating the timeless strength of Khayyam’s poetry.

At the heart of this artistic undertaking are Oum Kalthoum’s songs inspired by Khayyam’s quatrains, composed by Riad El Sonbati, works of great emotional depth and musical refinement. These pieces are re-explored to give them new life and here, they blend with additional quatrains by Omar Khayyam set to music by Kiya Tabassian. Works of Johan Sebastien Bach, Marin Marais, and Dimitrie Cantemir are also heard through reimagined arrangements for the ensemble and Benali’s vocals.

For Ghalia Benali, Oum Kalthoum has always been a profound source of inspiration. “As a child, Oum Kalthoum was the voice of God,” she recalls. “Her voice touched the soul, not just the ears.” Born in Brussels and raised in a family of artists in Tunisia, Benali was exposed to diverse musical styles from an early age and continues to move effortlessly between cultures. Umm Kulthum remains one of her greatest inspirations, and she considers her an “honorary grandmother.” Her voice blends fidelity to tradition with her own artistic expression, weaving a vivid connection between past and present.

Improvisatory passages allow spontaneous interactions, highlighting the intensity and vitality of the ensemble’s performance. The concert culminates in a collaborative musical celebration, where voice and instruments intertwine with Khayyam’s quatrains, offering a journey that evokes both the timeless power of his poetry and the enduring resonance of Oum Kalthoum’s legacy.