Constantinople

Even if more than 600 years separates the life of John-Sebastien Bach (1685 -1750) and Omar Khayam (1048 -1131), these two genius were made to meet each other.  Their visions of the world, as a perfect match of mathematics mastery and a super high level of spirituality, bring these two men in a delightful dialogue and traces a clear path to the sublime. In this program Constantinople brings these two artists into a dialogue, where the sacred and spirituality transcend borders. For this new creation Constantinople proposes arrangements of some of the most beautiful spiritual songs and arias of JS Bach in dialogue with poems of Omar Khayyam sung in Persian and responding to Bach’s songs. 

DIALOGOS

The Sultan and the bird

For this creation inspired by the historic encounter between Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kâmil, Constantinople joins forces with one of Europe’s most bold and imaginative early music ensembles, Holland Baroque.

Amid the turmoil of the Crusades, this unexpected dialogue—marked by mutual respect and attentiveness—became a timeless symbol of peace and understanding.

Blending ancient and contemporary musical traditions from both East and West, the two ensembles bring this spiritual legacy to life through a free and daring musical language.
This collaboration transcends borders, celebrates otherness, and invites audiences on an emotional journey where music becomes a bridge between worlds—a celebration of our shared humanity.

DIALOGOS

The Sultan and the bird

For this creation inspired by the historic encounter between Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kâmil, Constantinople joins forces with one of Europe’s most bold and imaginative early music ensembles, Holland Baroque.

Amid the turmoil of the Crusades, this unexpected dialogue—marked by mutual respect and attentiveness—became a timeless symbol of peace and understanding.

Blending ancient and contemporary musical traditions from both East and West, the two ensembles bring this spiritual legacy to life through a free and daring musical language.
This collaboration transcends borders, celebrates otherness, and invites audiences on an emotional journey where music becomes a bridge between worlds—a celebration of our shared humanity.

DIALOGOS

The Sultan and the bird

For this creation inspired by the historic encounter between Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kâmil, Constantinople joins forces with one of Europe’s most bold and imaginative early music ensembles, Holland Baroque.

Amid the turmoil of the Crusades, this unexpected dialogue—marked by mutual respect and attentiveness—became a timeless symbol of peace and understanding.

Blending ancient and contemporary musical traditions from both East and West, the two ensembles bring this spiritual legacy to life through a free and daring musical language.
This collaboration transcends borders, celebrates otherness, and invites audiences on an emotional journey where music becomes a bridge between worlds—a celebration of our shared humanity.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

A luminous encounter of kindred musicians: between poetry and inspired musical dialogue.

With this ensemble that has traveled the world’s stages for over a decade, strings and voices embody the beauty of Persian and Mandinka music. Master of the kora Ablaye Cissoko and setâr player Kiya Tabassian immerse us in a gentle sonic reverie. A musical conversation at its finest, elevated by the rhythms and subtleties of percussionist Patrick Graham. Inspired by the estuary—this space of transition and transformation—three exceptional artists craft a vast palette of colors with cosmopolitan accents.

Estuaire and Other Crossings

To mark Constantinople’s 25th anniversary, Ablaye Cissoko and Kiya Tabassian celebrate more than fifteen years of artistic collaboration in a concert featuring Estuary, their latest project, while revisiting some of the most beloved works from their albums Jardins migrateurs and Traversées.

Carried by the extraordinary musical rapport between Kiya Tabassian’s setar, Ablaye Cissoko’s kora, and Patrick Graham’s percussion, this performance reflects the richness of an artistic dialogue nurtured over the years across traditions, imaginations, and shared horizons.

This anniversary concert offers a journey filled with poetry, depth, and humanity, celebrating one of the most remarkable collaborations in Constantinople’s history.

Experience the captivating rhythms of Persia with Kayhan Kalhor and Kiya Tabassian, masters of the kamancheh and the setar.