DAMON ALBARN to perform with Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music

20 January 2016

A Syrian orchestra, whose members have fled around the world due to the conflict in the country, are reuniting for a London concert featuring BLUR and GORILLAZ singer Damon Albarn.

The musician first worked with the 90-strong Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music (SNOAM) eight years ago.

Albarn said: "It's a truly miraculous sound that they create."

Their performance is part of 14-18 now, the UK's arts programme marking the centenary of World War One.

The orchestra first played with Albarn at the Damascus Opera House in 2008.

Albarn worked with them, and principal conductor Issam Rafea, on GORILLAZ album White Flag and they toured together in 2010, with shows taking place in Lebanon, Syria and across Europe and North America.

The Royal Festival Hall show on 25 June, presented by Africa Express and featuring other guest performers, will be SNOAM's first concert since Syria descended into war.

Rafea, now based in the US, said the situation in Syria was "beyond our imagination", leading to musicians fleeing the country.

He hopes the music will act as a "universal language" and that he looks forward to "the opportunity to come all together again".

Source: bbc.com

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