Fes festival showcases female voices across diverse traditions
The Festival of Fes des Musiques Sacrées du Monde continued its programming in Fes with a concert dedicated to female voices from different cultural and spiritual backgrounds. The performance took place at Bab Al Makina and brought together artists from the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, Europe, and Australia. The event focused on vocal traditions that move between sacred heritage and contemporary reinterpretation.
The opening performance featured Lebanese singer Ghada Shbeir, who presented Aramaic chants rooted in ancient liturgical traditions. Her interpretation emphasized spiritual reflection and historical continuity, with a restrained vocal style that highlighted the meditative character of the repertoire. The performance set a contemplative tone for the evening, shaped by devotional expression and linguistic heritage.
Indian classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakrabarty followed with a contrasting approach drawn from the Hindustani khayal tradition. Her performance relied on complex melodic development and controlled improvisation, showcasing technical precision and vocal range. The shift between the two artists highlighted the diversity of classical vocal systems and their distinct approaches to emotion, structure, and performance practice.
Moroccan singer Nabyla Maan contributed a reinterpretation of matrouz, a hybrid Andalusian chant tradition combining Arabic and Hebrew influences. Her performance connected historical memory with modern arrangement, reflecting the layered cultural identity of the Mediterranean musical heritage. The program later moved toward experimental forms with Australian artist Kat Frankie and her ensemble Bodies, who used layered vocal arrangements and minimalist composition to explore the voice as a collective instrument. The concert closed with traditional women’s chants from Ahwach Isaffen in the High Atlas, grounding the evening in living rural Moroccan heritage and reinforcing the festival’s focus on dialogue between tradition and innovation.
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