Firdaus Orchestra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Firdaus Orchestra is an initiative of Expo City Dubai, an all-women ensemble based out of the United Arab Emirates. The orchestra is named Firdaus (meaning 'paradise' in Arabic).[1][2]
Firdaus Orchestra was founded by Reem Al Hashimy, the Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates.
The orchestra plays a mix of classical, pop, and fusion music. They present performances and symphonic compositions by A.R. Rahman as well as Western orchestral harmonies and ancient melodies from the Orchestral Qawwali Project.[3][4]
Firdaus Orchestra features Middle Eastern and Indian instruments such as the qanun, the buzuq, the ney, the oud, the daf, the darbuka and the sitar, along with Western orchestral instruments.[5]
In its second season the Orchestra was joined by Nigerian artist Sunmisola Agebebi, Beyonce for the launch of the Royal Atlantis, "Asia's Vocal Supreme" Katrina Velarde of The Philippines, Atif Aslam and were selected to be a part of the Disney 100-year celebration taking the stage for the Disney Princess Concerts in Dubai.[5]