Letters from Iraq with Oud Master Rahim AlHaj

2050 Main Street,Bethlehem NH 03574

07 May, 2022

Description

Letters from Iraq featuring Grammy Nominated Oud Master Rahim AlHaj with The Portland String Quintet Doors and Patio open at 7 PM **Vaccination Required. Masks required upon entry and when moving around the theatre. When seated in the auditorium, masks may be removed to enjoy food and drink.** Letters from Iraq expresses the love and pain of lives lived by the people of war-torn Iraq. Actual mailed letters and their stories are transposed into eight gripping compositions by NEA National Heritage Fellow Honoree and Two-time Grammy-nominated Iraqi-American composer and oud player, Rahim AlHaj with string quintet (2 violins, viola, cello, contrabass) and percussion. He says, “Music can make us laugh, make us cry, make us march into war. I want to make music to make us realize peace.” This music is of deep emotion and great beauty, melding mastery of Iraqi and Western classical genres alike to form something entirely new. Virtuoso oud player and composer, Rahim AlHaj born in Baghdad, Iraq, has found in his ancient instrument, whose written history spans some 5,000 years, a unique voice that speaks passionately to contemporary listeners of every musical background. Deftly combining traditional Iraqi maqams with contemporary stylings and influences, AlHaj seeks to translate into music the suffering, joy, anxiety, and determination that he has experienced and witnessed in his lifelong struggle against injustice — as an Iraqi, a political refugee, and today as an American citizen. Communicating with a compelling immediacy that bypasses cultural obstacles, his music speaks irresistibly to the heart in a universal language of compassion. The Portland String Quintet Coming together from musical training at Curtis, Eastman, Indiana, Juilliard and Oberlin, the PSQ has played an important role in the artistic renaissance of the City of Portland and the State of Maine, championing Maine and American composers both nationally and internationally. Brought together in 1969 by conductor Paul Vermel, they became principal players in the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Quartet was formed. In 1980 they became Artists in Residence for the University of Southern Maine and in 1986 Colby College proclaimed the PSQ “Maine Treasures,” awarding them Honorary Doctor of Music degrees. Beginning with the Fall semester of that year they became Artists in Residence for Colby College. “The Portland String Quartet performed brilliantly, arguing the composer’s case with passion and precision. One couldn’t have asked for more persuasive, more unified and more yearningly lyrical playing.” — The New York Times Sponsored by Elise Drake The Colonial Theatre is the home of arts, film, music and culture in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The 300-seat theater offers state-of-the-art digital projection and surround sound for independent and world cinema, and hosts Grammy award-winning performing artists and family entertainment from May through October—all without losing the intimate charm of a vintage summer theater.