Shulùq Ensemble – The Dream of Ibn Hamdìs (Visage Music, 2022)
The Dream of Ibn Hamdis by the Shulùq Ensemble, released under Visage Music in 2022, presents a musical tribute to the diverse cultures of the Mediterranean. This recording explores the concept of “Mare Nostrum” (Roman name for the Mediterranean Sea). Shulùq Ensemble see the Mediterranean as an ideal space where the past, present, and future coexist, along with the values, ideals, and dreams of its inhabitants.
The name “Shulùq” is a transliteration of the Arabic term for the Sirocco wind, representing the breath of the Mediterranean and symbolizing the soul of Mare Nostrum. The ensemble serves as a bridge, uniting the diverse Mediterranean coasts through sounds, rhythms, harmonies, and shared emotions. Notably, Shulùq Ensemble includes accomplished musicians and composers of international acclaim, including Calogero Giallanza (flutes), Salim Dada (guitar, kwitra, voice), Andrea Piccioni (percussion), and featuring Karima Skalli (voice).
Raised in diverse musical backgrounds, such as classical European, Arabic, North African, baroque, and jazz, the ensemble performs original music inspired by the twelfth-century Arab-Sicilian poet Ibn Hamdis. His poetry, reflecting on exile and the lost paradise of Sicily, becomes the foundation for this project, exploring the union of different civilizations: Greek-Roman and Arab-Muslim.
The Dream of Ibn Hamdis traces a specific artistic discourse over the last millennium towards the Mediterranean. It aspires to create a poetic-musical “mare nostrum,” a peaceful and generous space representing the last gift of the Mediterranean civilization. The project reflects an aspiration for a better world, acknowledging the struggles of migrants seeking freedom and salvation, often at the cost of broken and scattered lives.
Calogero Giallanza, a flutist and composer from Naso, Sicily, has earned recognition for his contributions, receiving awards and honors, including being appointed as a Knight and Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2013 and 2019.
Salim Dada, a prolific composer and musician-poly-instrumentalist, is known for his diverse works and is currently pursuing a doctoral thesis in ethnomusicology on “Al-Adhan: the call to prayer in Islam” at the University of Paris-Sorbonne.
Andrea Piccioni, acclaimed as a maestro of frame drums,” has transcended musical boundaries, collaborating with numerous artists across jazz, world music, and classical genres.
Karima Skalli, celebrated for her beautiful voice and talent, has left a significant mark in the Arab world, participating in various festivals and earning tributes for her humanitarian and spiritual commitment.
Author: Ryan Emmert
