Chicago Sinfonietta Welcomes Oud Virtuoso Simon Shaheen Tonight

Chicago Sinfonietta welcomes oud virtuoso Simon Shaheen to celebrate Arab and African-American culture with music in "Political Awakenings" tonight, April 19, Harris Theater, Chicago and Saturday, April 20, Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville.

The cry for freedom expressed during the Arab Spring resonates with similar awakenings throughout human history, including the Civil Rights era in the United States.

In Political Awakenings, hauntingly beautiful Arabic melodies find their counterpart in African-American folk music, while Mozart himself tells a tale of freedom from bondage in his Turkish-inflected Abduction from the Seraglio.

Together, these pieces all speak to the eternal quest for liberty shared across the globe expressed through the music of two richly diverse cultures as they are wedded to the Western classical tradition.

Mei-Ann Chen leads the Chicago Sinfonietta and special guest Simon Shaheen in the Chicago premiere of his Oud Concerto in C Minor. The Palestinian-American composer is a virtuoso of both the oud and violin and a leading figure in traditional Arabic music.

The concerto is paired with the emotive power of William Levi Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony, whose themes are based on African-American spirituals. Completing the show is Mozart's lively overture from one of his best loved operas.

Tickets begin at just $26. Buy early for the best seat selection online or by calling 312-284-1554.