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 Fundación Tres Culturas del Mediterráneo, which has brought together musicians and singers from Andalusia and Morocco in a unique experience.
The concerts were also attended by a large number of Moroccan and Spanish authorities, including 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 for 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 Fundación Tres Culturas 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 mixing 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.
As for the programme, the Moroccan repertoire proposed a selection of works that are 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 of LemchahebHbib Al Qalb Abdessadeq Chqara and Bourakia, pieces to be directed by Rabii Merouane.
On the Spanish side, the directors Carlos Cansino and María Jesús Pacheco, who were at the helm of the plays Contemplation (2002) by José Manuel Gil and Requie. Op 48 (1886-88), by Gabriel Fauré arranged by Edgar F. Girtain, respectively.
Following the success of these two concerts, the Coro Tres Culturas will meet again next autumn in Andalusia for a third performance.