Damascus, Nov 30 (SANA)
The ARPA Choir & Orchestra presented an evening of Baroque and sacred music at the Greek Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Dormition in Damascus, offering audiences a moving message of peace.
For over an hour, the ensemble led by maestro Jamil al-Bitar performed masterpieces spanning the 16th to 19th centuries, immersing the audience in the rich textures and spiritual depth of Baroque music. The program included prayers, hymns, and classical vocal and instrumental works.
The concert opened with Claudio Monteverdi’s “Vespers”, followed by vocal pieces by Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria. The orchestra then performed George Frideric Handel’s “Piper’s Dance” and Jean-Joseph Mouret’s “Rondeau”, while the choir delivered a cappella works by British composer Karl Jenkins.
Highlights included an ancient liturgical hymn arranged by Mozart in a contemplative style, evoking a profound sense of peace, and Antonio Vivaldi’s flowing, poetic hymn. The ensemble also performed Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater”, a work written in the final weeks of the composer’s life, conveying both anguish and devotion through its expressive string accompaniment. The evening concluded with Vivaldi’s eight-movement “Laudate Pueri Dominum”.
The concert drew an international audience, including Turkey’s ambassador to Syria, Nuh Yılmaz, local Christian clergy, and the Maronite Archbishop of Aleppo, Mar Joseph Tobji.
Founded in 2021, the ARPA Choir & Orchestra brings together musicians and 21 singers from Aleppo and across Syria. The ensemble focuses on historically informed performances of Baroque and other classical works, promoting this musical heritage locally and internationally.
