Cantemir, The Composer Prince

Date: Friday, April 19, 2024, 8:30 pm
Price: $40 Regular | $36 Friends | $30 Students and Seniors
Tickets include same-day Museum admission.
A limited number of $20 rush tickets will be available on the day of the performance.

Enjoy a spectacular evening as Constantinople explores the legacy of Dimitrie Cantemir, a significant figure bridging European and Middle Eastern cultures in the early 18th century.

A multifaceted individual, Cantemir was a Moldavian (now in Romania) prince, scholar, composer, and diplomat, left an indelible mark transcending geographical and temporal boundaries. Through meticulous transcription and compilation, Cantemir's collection of over 350 instrumental pieces remains unparalleled, serving as a vital resource for understanding Middle Eastern musical traditions of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Under the artistic direction of Kiya Tabassian, Constantinople approaches Cantemir's treasure trove with erudite precision and creative flair. By interpreting Cantemir's compositions alongside works by his contemporaries like the French Marin Marais and the Italian Antonio Bertali, the musicians infuse new vitality into these centuries-old pieces, rendering them vivid and tangible for modern audiences.

Cantemir, The Composer Prince will feature:
Kiya Tabassian | Setar and Direction
Kianoush Khalilian | Ney
Didem Basar | Kanun
Tanya LaPerrière | Baroque Violin and Viola D'Amore
Patrick Graham | Percussion

Learn more about Dimitrie Centemir

About Constantinople

Constantinople is a musical ensemble that chose the journey — geographical, but also historical, cultural, and inner —as its cornerstone. It draws inspiration from many sources and aims for distant horizons. Inspired by the ancient city illuminating the East and West, Constantinople was founded in 2001 in Montreal by Kiya Tabassian.

About Kiya Tabassian

Setar virtuoso and acclaimed composer Kiya Tabassian has carved out a privileged place on the international music scene with his ensemble Constantinople and as a soloist. Past master in cross-cultural musical encounters, Tabassian travels across continents to present his creations and his music on stages worldwide.

Learn more about Constantinople

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Museum’s Performing Arts programming is generously supported by the Nanji Family Foundation.