The Canadian Arabic Orchestra offers a variety of programs, ranging in size and material to appeal to as wide a range of tastes as possible.
All programs, designed and produced in house, are presented by the CAO accredited musicians and choristers, a group that has worked together over years to develop a sound uniquely Canadian, uniquely Arabic, uniquely Canadian Arabic Orchestra.
Touring Options
Rates
International
Full Scale Productions
Up to 40 performers.
1st concert 70 K CAD
2nd concert 40 K CAD
3rd & following concerts 30 CAD
1st concert 70 K CAD
2nd concert 40 K CAD
3rd & following concerts 30 CAD
Orchestral Presentations
Up to 20 performers.
1st concert 35 K CAD
2nd concert 20 K CAD
3rd & following concert 15 K CAD
1st concert 35 K CAD
2nd concert 20 K CAD
3rd & following concert 15 K CAD
Boutique Chamber Performances
Up to 10 performers.
1st concert 25 K CAD
2nd concert 15 K CAD
3rd & following concert 10 K CAD
1st concert 25 K CAD
2nd concert 15 K CAD
3rd & following concert 10 K CAD
Canada Wide
Full Scale Productions
Up to 40 members.
1st concert 55 K CAD
2nd concert 25 K CAD
3rd & following concert 15 K CAD
1st concert 55 K CAD
2nd concert 25 K CAD
3rd & following concert 15 K CAD
Orchestral Presentation
Up to 20 members.
1st concert 30 K CAD
2nd concert 15 K CAD
3rd & following concert 10 K CAD
1st concert 30 K CAD
2nd concert 15 K CAD
3rd & following concert 10 K CAD
Boutique Chamber Performances
Up to 10 performers.
1st concert 20 K CAD
2nd concert 10 K CAD
3rd & following concert 5 K CAD
1st concert 20 K CAD
2nd concert 10 K CAD
3rd & following concert 5 K CAD
Ontario Wide
Full Scale Productions
Up to 40 performers.
35 K CAD
35 K CAD
Orchestral Presentation
Up to 20 performers.
20 K CAD
20 K CAD
Boutique Chamber Performances
Up to 10 performers.
15 K CAD
15 K CAD
Programs
Full Scale Productions
Black and White
Music and song from La Belle Epoque of Arabic cinema that predated colour movies. This Canadian Arabic Orchestra production will take you back in time with Farid, Abdel Halim, Abdel Wahab, Sabah, Fairuz, Leila Murad, Asmahan and Shadia when these giants starred in black and white films in the first half of last century.
Speak to me of my homeland
A concert that brings people together with their shared memories and personal experiences of Arab cities, the CAO celebrates these cities through the beautiful works of the Rahabanis. Originally delivered by the legendary diva Fairuz, now brought to you in a choral presentation with beautiful voices from the Canadian Arabic Orchestra choir.
Arabic Drama
Roots
A selection of songs from all corners of the Arab world that speak of our connection with nature; how our roots grow deep into earth, drawing in water and air to create life. Humas connection with the elements reflected in beautiful songs from the Arab Maghreb, to the Levant that speak of earth, air and water.
Mwashahat
A form of Arabic poetry, and the only form of Andalusian literature known to have its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, believed to have started in the 9th or 10th century AD, and sung in classical Arabic down the generations to our present day. Songs made popular by Fairuz, Sabah Fakhri, Lutfi Bushnaq and other giants, brought to life on stage with male and female voices singing in chorus.
Memories
Arguably the most eclectic trio in the history of modern Arabic music in 20th century Egypt, a trio who revolutionized the arts and culture scene in Egypt and the Arab world with poetry, music and song. Um Kulthoum, Ahmad Rami and Riad Al Sunbati created the most popular music that continues to appeal to generations of Arab and other listeners, more than half a century later. The Canadian Arabic Orchestra, presents excerpts from the works of this trio that span over 50 years of their work together.
Arabic Classics by the Canadian Arabic Youth Orchestra
The Canadian Arabic Youth Orchestra present classical Arabic tunes from all corners of the Arab World, presented by young Arab Canadians who have reconnected with their cultural roots thousands of miles away from their ancestral homes. A concert of music and song by students of the Canadian Arabic Conservatory of Music who have grown into world class young musicians.
Orchestral Presentation
Opera Arabia
George Bizet’s Carmen meets Leila Murad and Asmahan in a fusion of one of the best known Western operas with the best of early 20th century operatic Arabic music. The celebrated Lebanese Canadian mezzo soprano Julie Nesrallah, recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, will dazzle you with a first of its kind performance, accompanied by Arabic musicians and musical instruments playing Western tunes in a novel and fresh presentation of this ancient art.
Silk Road
A journey along this old world vital trade route presenting local artists from various backgrounds with their unique instruments and music who come together on stage to celebrate the culture and music of many nations along the ancient silk road. Music from Persia, the Indian subcontinent, China and the Middle East come together in amazing harmony on one stage.
Origins
The Indigenous peoples of Canada opened their arms to welcome wave upon wave of immigrants to their lands, and opened doors for cultures from all over the world to share their life journeys. Many a tragic story, and many a happy encounter over the centuries gave birth to a shared history showcased by bringing together the two distinct musical heritages of the indigenous people of Arabia and North America, only to show how similar they are in their shared humanity.
Flamenco Arabia
The Arab rule of southern Spain for over 600 years saw many thriving cultures that influenced one another; Flamenco, is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the Gitano culture of the region of Andalusia, but also having a historical presence in Extremadura and Murcia. This concert is a reflection of this cross influence and the strong connection between two very distinct and prominent cultures that share so much, more so in music.
Sounds of Iraq
Iraqi maqams are a world of their own, like no other Arabic music, they transport you in a trance to Babylon; to the land of Dijla and Furat through music and song from an era long gone to our present day with a consistency that has survived the ages.
Ornina
The first female singer in recorded history, this temple of Ishtar singer travels through time from the ancient kingdom of Mari to light up the stage. This concert is an attempt to showcase the role of women in Sufism through some of the most beautiful songs sung about the love of the creator in an all women performance..
The Life & Times of Um Kulthoum
From her childhood days and acapella recitals to the apex of stardom, this program traces the life and times of Um Kulthoum from the early 1900’s in Tamay Al Zahaya in Egypt’s Delta to the 70’s of the last century when she had earned the title of the fourth pyramid of Giza. A career spanning 6 decades and a wealthy repertoire that brough to life the best of Arabic poetry and music theatres around the globe. مروة ناجي في سيرة أم كلثوم من أيام الانشاد مع والدها وأخويها إلى قمة النجومية، يسرد هذا الحفل سيرة أم كلثوم من أوائل القرن العشرين في طماي الزهايرة في صعيد مصر، إلى سبعينيات القرن الماضي حيث تربعت على عرش الغناء العربي كوكباً للشرق وهرماً رابعاً من أهرامات الجيزة. ستون عاماً من العطاء في المسارح حول المعمورة تختزلها صاحبة الحنجرة الذهبية مروة ناجي في ستين دقيقة من أحلى ليالي العُمر
Boutique Chamber Performances
Jazzy Arabia
Jazz was born into African American communities struggling to bring cheer and joy into their challenging lives; nothing speaks of humanity’s will to live and share happiness louder than music, and no music brings happiness to the world more than Arabic music. Marrying Arabic music with jazz is an experience like no other.
موسيقى الجاز هي موسيقى المجتمعات الامريكية ذات الاصول الافريقية، جلبت هذه الموسيقى البهجة لهذه المجتمعات التي كافحت نتيجة حياتهم الصعبة. لا شيء يحاكي إرادة الإنسان في العيش ومشاركة السعادة بصوت أعلى من الموسيقى ولا توجد موسيقى تجلب السعادة للعالم أكثر من الموسيقى العربية. الدمج بين موسيقى الجاز والموسيقى العربية هي تجربة فريدة لا مثيل لها.
Hawa Al Wedyan: A Tribute to Wadih El Safi
Dedicated to the memory of the Legend Wadih El Safi and featuring a bouquet of his most popular and famous songs, this performance is sure to bring about a lively atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
Eternal River: A Tribute to Abdulwahab
In 1933, and after some time spent in Paris, Abdel Wahab began composing his own style of Egyptian film musicals; he introduced western rhythms like waltz and rock to Egyptian songs and is considered to be one of the most innovative Arab musicians of all time, laying the foundation for a new era of Arabic music, music brought to life more than half a century later in electric performance by our musicians and vocalists.
Sufi by Murshed
Works by Rumi, Hallaj and others, brought to life by soothing voices of our vocalists whose nuanced delivery of Sufi music is an experience that brings out the spiritual in the listener, and is true to the message of peace in the Sufi discipline.
Nostalgia
An instrumental and vocal marvel, where guitar strings dance to the tunes of a keyboard and percussion rhythms down a lane seldom traveled nowadays; a lane that begins in the orient, connecting immortal Arabic tunes with the best of the west, ending with a final stop at Elias Rahabani’s door in a tribute of hopeless love.
Hooked on Classics
A magical evening of some of the most popular classical music pieces, all-time favorites presented with a twist, uniquely Canadian, uniquely Arabic, uniquely Canadian Arabic Orchestra.
Al Andalib العندليب
Abdel Halim Hafez, known as the Songbird, left behind a phenomenal legacy of love songs during his brief life. Orphaned, Impoverished, and sick from a very young age, Abdel Halim had a meteoric rise to success and fame due to his charming persona and enchanting voice. He taught his fans to live life in the moment, to do what you love, and to love the people around you. This CAO production presents a selection of the Songbird’s most memorable songs to share with your loved ones.
عبد الحليم حافظ ، المعروف باسم العندليب ، ترك وراءه إرثًا رائعًا من أغاني الحب خلال حياته الوجيزة. كان عبد الحليم اليتيم والفقير والمريض منذ صغره ، قد صعد بسرعة إلى النجاح والشهرة بسبب شخصيته الساحرة.
Bel Alb Khaleeni ♥ بالقلب خليني
Born to Halim El Roumi, a musician, composer and director of Radio Liban, who only supported her singing after she won a singing contest without his knowledge; Majida El Roumi rose to become a household name in every corner of the Arab world and beyond with her sweet voice, her selective choice of lyrics and music working with the most notable poets and composers of the time and rising to stardom delivering fine Arabic art with a unique style and repertoire like no other.
The Canadian Arabic Orchestra’s Nour Khedder brings some of the best of Majida’s songs to the stage, with her own unique style, voice and delivery accompanied by members of the Canadian Arabic orchestra musicians and singers.
ابنة حليم الرومي ، الموسيقي والملحن والمخرج في راديو لبنان الذي كان الداعم الأول لها بعد فوز ماجدة الرومي بمسابقة غنائية في صغرها ، وكانت مفاجأة له. صعدت ماجدة الرومي لتصبح اسمًا مألوفًا في كل ركن من أركان العالم العربي وخارجه بصوتها الجميل ، و باختيارها الانتقائي للكلمات والألحان حيث أنها تعاملت مع أبرز الشعراء والملحنين لتقدم فنآ عربيا راقيا بأسلوب فريد من نوعه ومخزون من الأغاني لا مثيل له. عضوة الكورال الكندي العربي نور خضر تقدم بمرافقة مجموعة من أعضاء الأوركسترا العربية الكندية باقة من اجمل اغاني ماجدة الرومي.