Grec 2017: Jordi Savall & Hespèrion XXI

At the beginning of the 14th century, Ibn Battuta, the Marco Polo of the Islamic world, left Morocco and began a very long journey that would take him to the Far East and other parts of Africa. The journey, which he began when he was only 21 years old, would last more than three decades (longer, in fact, than that of the Venetian merchant) and was recorded in a volume, a 'rihla' (an account of travels in classical Arabic literature) that today is one of the main sources of information about the world of that time. Catalan conductor, composer and musician Jordi Savall re-creates the journey of Battuta, recovering music of the time and of the countries the explorer crossed. Anonymous musical compositions, Arabic and Ottoman songs, traditional songs from Syria, Yemen and Mali... These and other pieces of ancient music form the programme of a concert that will transport you in time and space. The music will alternate with texts selected by the poet, Hebraist, translator and current director of the Institut Ramon Llull, Manuel Forcano, recited by actor Jordi Boixaderas. As is usual for Savall, he shares the stage with the musicians of Hespèrion XXI, and on this occasion, he also includes Turkish, Syrian, Moroccan, Greek, Catalan and Italian soloists.