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Sounds of Sudan with Asim Gorashi

Written by Sam Balzac

Renowned Sudanese musician Asim Gorashi will take Sydney audiences on a musical safari when he performs at the Opera House Studio for one show only on Saturday, December 1.

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A master of the oud (an Arabic lute) and violin, Sounds of Sudan will unite Gorashi with local jazz musicians Daniel Goodacre on keyboards and drummer Steve Manovski.

With the recent controversy surrounding members of Australia’s Sudanese refugee community, Gorashi will paint an alternative picture of an African culture rich in religious and musical diversity.

From gentle, Islamic flavoured Sudanese melodies and dance rhythms to high-energy Hendrix-style oud and violin riffs, this is music of extraordinary beauty which has thrilled audiences throughout the world.

"Sydney Opera House presents the great artists of our generation and so it’s a privilege to bring Asim Gorashi's extraordinary musical heritage to Sydney,” Director of Performing Arts, Rachel Healy, said. “As a city that celebrates the myriad of cultural traditions that make up the local community, it is thrilling that Sydney Opera House can play its part in bringing these acclaimed Sudanese sounds to a wider audience."

Sounds of Sudan is part of Studio String Sessions which will showcase some of the finest guitarists from Australia and abroad. For five shows only, the intimate surrounds of The Studio will come alive with the sounds of Australia, Africa and the Americas.

The great contemporary guitar duo, Sergio and Odair Assad, will deliver classical and folk gems from Latin America in their first Australian show in more than 20 years. Experience the virtuosity of these Brazilian brothers as they blend an amazing range of styles with exceptional artistry as they perform a sizzling-hot line-up of works by Villa-Lobos, Jobim and Gismonti (Brazil,) Piazolla (Argentina) as well as Scarlatti and Rameau.

Slide guitar legend Jeff Lang returns to The Studio for one night only. Acclaimed worldwide as a virtuosic guitarist, dynamic songwriter and startingly unique performer, this is a rare chance to experience the sounds of rock, roots, folk and blues from the fingertips of one of Australia’s greatest guitarists.

First winning notice on New York’s subways, Kaki King returns to Australia following her sell-out season at the 2007 Sydney Festival. Picking, strumming and hammering the acoustic guitar, King’s trademark irreverent compositions are lushly orchestrated with haunting melodies, cooing vocals and razor-sharp percussive edges.

Studio String Sessions promises to give guitar gurus the chance to get up close and personal to an eclectic mix of musicians with greatly differing styles and cultural backgrounds.

• Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 November: Sergio & Odair Assad
• Thursday 29 November: Jeff Lang
• Friday 30 November: Kaki King
• Saturday 1 December: Asim Gorashi, Sounds of Sudan

SEASON DETAILS: Studio String Sessions

• Dates/Times: Tuesday 27 November to Saturday 1 December at 8.15pm.
• Venue: The Studio
• Tickets: Individual tickets $35 or $25 concession.
• Bookings: (02) 9250 7777 or online at sydneyoperahouse.com
• Duration: 60 minutes

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