OUM

She is the face of classical Arabic music and her popularity in North Africa and the Middle East far outstrips that of even the greatest opera divas and pop stars in the West. The voice of Oum Kalthoum also has a special place in the hearts of many Dutch people with Arab roots. Director Kenza Koutchoukali and composer Bushra El-Turk have drawn inspiration from the music and poetry of Kalthoum’s songs and have joined forces with singers, actors and the musicians of the Amsterdams Andalusisch Orkest to create a production that incorporates the songs in a new musical narrative. Their adaption of the book Visage retrouvé by Wajdi Mouawad forms the basis of this music theatre work, a coming-of-age story about the search for your identity, rediscovering your roots and reconciliation with a mother you thought you had lost.