A.R. Rahman’s all-women Firdaus Orchestra to pay stellar tribute to explorers of space in debut concert at Expo 2020

Firdaus Orchestra, the pioneering all-women musical ensemble led by Academy and Grammy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman, will close Expo 2020 Dubai’s Space Week on Saturday 23 October. The orchestra will render a stellar space-themed repertoire comprising Western classical music and an original composition by Rahman.

Starting at 1900 GST at Expo 2020’s Jubilee Park, the Firdaus Orchestra, led by conductor Yasmina Sabbah and representing a melange of musical talent from across the Arab world, will bring their spellbinding showcase to Expo’s Space Week celebrations.

The one-hour performance will include “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey, as well as music from Star Wars and E.T. – Adventures on Earth. It will also feature Karl Jenkins’ “Palladio,” Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5,” and a grand finale performance by A.R. Rahman who will present an exclusive new composition, Humanitas-Proorismós-Al Amal – an ode by the composer to explorers of space. ‘Al Amal’ is the Arabic word for ‘Hope’, which, fortuitously, is also the name of the first Arab mission to Mars.

A.R. Rahman said: “To know the unknown is the quest of life, and by exploring space we explore ourselves.”

Expo ticket-holders wishing to attend the orchestra’s inaugural performance on Saturday should arrive early. Due to limited capacity at the venue, access will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Expo tickets can be purchased online at www.expo2020.com.

Running from 17 to 23 October, Expo 2020’s Space Week is hosting astronauts, thought-leaders and other space experts – highlighting the latest innovations in space research and travel, while also providing a platform to discuss critical issues.