The Iraqi Maqam with Hamid Al-Saadi

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC | Hamid Al-Saadi performs the revered Iraqi Maqam tradition, accompanied by Amir ElSaffar and George Ziadeh, masters of the traditional instruments of the Chalghi Baghdadi.

The Iraqi Maqam: Inscribed in 2003 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Iraqi Maqam represents one of Iraq's richest cultural offerings. The maqam has been developed and refined by generations of masters in the cities of Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Basra as well as in rural areas, who passed this highly sophisticated tradition orally in coffeehouses, courts, and salons over the centuries. The maqam's sophisticated melodies, infectious rhythms, and eloquent poetry, are a direct reflection of Iraq's history, geography, culture, and folklore; in it can be found the essence of all that is Iraqi.

Hamid Al-Saadi: Through his powerful and highly ornamented voice, and in his comprehensive knowledge of the intricate details of the music and poetry of Iraq, generations and layers of the maqam tradition resonate through Hamid al-Saadi’s magnificent presence on stage. The only person in his generation to have memorized and mastered all 56 maqamat from the Baghdadi repertoire, Al-Saadi is one of the few vocalists who is keeping the maqam alive today, at a time when so many elements of this profound tradition are in danger of extinction.

Free and open to the public. Bennington College is "mask friendly" and asks that all guests be up-to-date on vaccinations. Please refrain from coming to campus if you are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms.

With generous support from the Mellon-sponsored Consortium on Forced Migration.

Open to the Public | Open Seating/Unticketed - come early! doors open at 7:30pm

This concert will also livestream on Twitch and remain available for restreaming for 14 days.