Zanubia

Event information

Join us for a special evening of music as we discover about the early Arab Christian chanting traditions.

It was in the second century, during the reign of Queen Zanubia, that Christianity reached Palmyra, the town she governed in ancient Syria. It was at that time that the first church melodies, influenced by the secular Aramaic music of Syria and Iraq, began to be composed and developed.

Egyptian/German singer Merit Ariane Stephanos and Father Shafiq Abouzayd will introduce the audience to this music, in particular to the chanting traditions of the Levantine and Byzantine churches, such as the ancient Syriac liturgy of Aleppo. Accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Jon Banks, they will explore the history and developments of the different traditions through an informal lecture and performance.

The sound world of these chants is rich with quartertones and Middle Eastern virtuosic ornamentation. This evening will offer a glimpse into these little known musical traditions, which offer a bridge between cultures.