Music to weave cultures together

By Freya Bergren

The Orchestra of New Spain (ONS) will present the fourth in a series of concerts designed to explore the musical culture of Spain’s Medieval world of Al Andalus, La Convivencia IV, a concert of Sephardic, Christian and Muslim music at Zion Lutheran Church. 

The Orchestra of New Spain continues its series exploring the music and culture of Medieval Spain under the Islamic Caliphate that allowed Jews and Christians to work, worship and live in relative peace, a time known as La Convivencia (living together). New Spain soloists perform works from King Alfonso the Wise’ extensive collection of 420 songs set to poems retelling the miracles of Mary as collected by the King’s minions, and known under the title of “Las Cantigas de Santa Maria.” Guest vocalist Jenny Luna interprets Sephardic songs from Spain and the Ottoman regions of the Diaspora, while Jamal Mohamed and his world music band perform works ranging from al-Andalus to North Africa and the Middle East. Instruments evocative of the time include the santour, lute, viol and the doumbek drum. The historic Convivencia will be echoed on stage with a final artistic weaving together of music of the three cultures.  

“It’s a timely look at the medieval example of culturally different peoples living together with respect and tolerance,” said Artistic Director Grover Wilkins III. “It’s also our first collaboration with other artists during COVID, made possible by progress with vaccinations and greater confidence in safely working together.” The concert venue, the large sanctuary of Zion Lutheran Church, continues to respect protocols of masking, seating in alternate pews and sanitizing. 

The church is located at 6121 E. Lovers Ln. at Skillman St. in Dallas. Tickets are $25 and $10 (with student ID) available through Ticketdfw.com or by calling 214-871-5000.