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Culture and Song: Sulayman & Shibe Enchant
15 Jul
Summary
- Tenor and guitarist presented diverse global heritage in music.
- The 'Broken Branches' program blended traditional and contemporary pieces.
- Performance offered a surprising journey from melancholy to joy.
At Wigmore Hall, London, tenor Karim Sulayman and guitarist Sean Shibe captivated audiences with their program "Broken Branches." This performance journeyed through a rich spectrum of global heritage, featuring music from England, Japan, Scotland, Lebanon, and America.
The recital's title draws from a poem about Iraqi refugees, set to music by Layale Chaker. The program began with "Li Beirut," a poignant lament for the Lebanese capital, suggesting a potentially somber experience. However, the duo's rendition transformed the evening, ultimately leaning towards a joyful and engaging performance.
Despite having a recorded release in 2023, the live performance felt remarkably spontaneous. Seated together, Sulayman and Shibe created intimate dialogues between cultures. Their selections ranged from Purcell and Dowland to Italian Renaissance madrigals and Sephardic love songs, showcasing Sulayman's vocal versatility and Shibe's nuanced guitar work, notably in Jonathan Harvey's "Sufi Dance."
The program explored diverse musical traditions, including an Egyptian piece and Britten's "Songs from the Chinese." Sulayman demonstrated his command of multiple languages, including English, Italian, and Arabic, concluding with a wistful Mexican encore. The duo's ability to command moments of profound silence left the audience spellbound.
