French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF)

presents

World Nomads Morocco: Music

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco  

Marouan Benabdallah to make his U.S. debut at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, May 26

New York, NY - The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, presents pianist Marouan Benabdallah in his U.S. recital debut at Carnegie Hall as part of its annual World Nomads festival, this year celebrating the arts and culture of Morocco.  Not yet thirty, Mr. Benabdallah is indisputably the leading representative of his native Morocco on the international concert stage.     

MAROUAN BENABDALLAH, Piano    

Thursday, May 26 at 8pm  

Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall

Presented in partnership with the Embassy of Morocco in Washington, D.C.

Program: 

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF:  Sonata No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 28

MAURICE RAVEL:  Miroirs (excerpts)

ALBÉNIZ:  "Asturias" and "Sevilla" from Suite Espagnole

CLAUDE DEBUSSY:  "La Soirée dans Grenade" from Estampes

NABIL BENABDELJALIL:  Nocturne and Song Without Words

SAINT-SAËNS:  Africa, Fantasy for Solo Piano (arr. Marouan Benabdallah)

Admission: $20 for FIAF Members; $25 for Non-Members; Students $15.

To download high-res images click on links below: 

Maraoun Benabdallah, courtesy of French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF) 

About the Artist 

With a musical heritage deeply rooted in the Hungarian tradition, Marouan Benabdallah received his formal training at the Bela Bartok Conservatory and the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest . His international career began in 2003 after his triumph at both the Hungarian Radio Piano Competition and the Andorra Grand Prize. Since then, he has emerged as an artist to watch. Upcoming appearances this season will be at The John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and at the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires . In July, he will perform Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 under the baton of Maestro Lorin Maazel at the Castleton Music Festival. Other engagements include recitals and concerto performances in Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, India, China and Morocco.   

About World Nomads Festival 

The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, presents six evenings of musical events in April and May, on the occasion of the fourth edition of its annual World Nomads Festival, which this year celebrates the arts and culture of Morocco.  

The concerts, presented in partnership with leading Moroccan and U.S. organizations, reflect the richness and diversity of Moroccan music, from the virtuosity of 18th century Judeo-Arab Andalusian nubat cycles; to the sub-Saharan African, Arab, and Berber roots of Gnaoua song and dance; to Morocco's flourishing hip-hop culture; Western classical piano; modern experimental music, and other expressions of the vibrant music of contemporary Morocco and its diaspora.  

Recognized worldwide for its distinctive and layered cultural identity, Morocco's unique geographical location has made it a crossroad for ancient trade routes, and continues to contribute to its importance as a migratory highway for ideas and peoples. Today's Morocco shines as a hub of traditional and modern creative expression, where ancient cultural practices thrive, kept alive by a full spectrum of master artisans, performing artists, and more, while innovations are woven into vibrant contemporary artistic forms. The World Nomads Festival arrives this year at a historic time for the region to celebrate the many facets of Morocco.

World Nomads Morocco is curated by Zeyba Rahman, Chief Curator, and Lili Chopra, FIAF's Artistic Director.

To read the press release, please click here.   

Press inquiries and press tickets: 

Milina Barry PR | 212-420-0200 | office@milinabarrypr.com