2,500 people enjoy concerts by the Three Cultures Choir in Rabat and Casablanca

Some 2,500 people enjoyed the concerts given by the Three Cultures Choir on 9 June at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat and the following day at the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church in Casablanca. In fact, both venues were sold out for both recitals. 

In this way, the Moroccan public has shown its great support for this project of the Three Cultures Foundation of the Mediterranean, which has brought together musicians and singers from Andalusia and Morocco in a unique experience. 

In addition, the concerts were attended by a large number of Moroccan and Spanish authorities, such as the co-president of the Foundation and advisor to His Majesty the King of Morocco, André Azoulay, and other patrons and personalities such as the Spanish ambassador to Morocco, Ricardo Díez-Hochtleiner, the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports of the Kingdom of Morocco, Chakib Benmoussa, the Director General of ICESCO, Salim al-Malik, the President of the National Council of Human Rights, Amina Bouayach, the former Minister of Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research of Morocco, Saïd Amzazi, and the former Minister of Education of Morocco, Rachid Benmokthar. 

With this choir, the Three Cultures Foundation aims to strengthen the ties between Andalusians and Moroccans through music, with a hundred performers united by a common project that has allowed them to share experiences, exchange ideas and foster mutual respect. 

The Moroccan members belong to Les Voix du Choeur, based in Rabat, a vocal ensemble that brings together some 50 passionate choral singers who usually perform a rich and diverse repertoire that mixes tradition and modernity. As for the Andalusians, most of them come from various groups in Seville, such as ProyectoeLe, the Coro de Cámara de Sevilla, the Sociedad Musical de Sevilla, Coro Codice, A5 Vocal Ensemble and the Coro de la Asociación de Amigos de la Maestranza, among others. 

The vocal ensemble was also accompanied by a selection of 29 professional musicians, mostly from Morocco, with extensive experience and musical training. 

With regard to the programme, the Moroccan repertoire proposed a selection of works that form part of the musical heritage of this country, with a Jewish heritage, and which have been arranged by Idriss Lamarti and Aschraf Sbai, specifically Achakat Tafla Andalousia & Mahani Zine by Salim Halali, Al Hamouchia, Khlili by Lemchaheb, Hbib Al-Qalb by Abdessadeq Chqara and Bourakia, pieces that will be conducted by Rabii Merouane. 

On the Spanish side, conductors Carlos Cansino and María Jesús Pacheco took part, conducting the works "Contemplación" (2002), by José Manuel Gil, and "Requie. Op 48" (1886-88), by Gabriel Fauré with arrangements by Edgar F. Girtain, respectively. 

Following the success of these two concerts, the Three Cultures Choir will reconvene next autumn in Andalusia for a third performance.