Angélique Kidjo & Ibrahim Maalouf
Reflektor Angélique Kidjo
Amour fou royal
The encounter between two special figures on the borders of legend and history that Angélique Kidjo narrates in her large-scale song project »Queen of Sheba« took place more than 3,000 years ago. The work that had its premiere in France in summer 2018 imagines the Queen of Sheba travelling from southern Sudan to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem: a meeting that is mentioned in many historical documents, e.g. in the Old Testament and the Koran, and soon turned into a veritable love story. After all, the two lovers begot the first king of Ethiopia, Menelik, on this occasion.
Kidjo’s starting point was her wish to develop a workable joint musical project together with the French-Lebanese trumpeter and composer Ibrahim Maalouf in which their respective cultures, of the Middle East and of Africa, would come together.
Maalouf composed the music, which is played by a big string orchestra – in this case by the Hamburg Camerata and guests – and by his band. Angélique Kidjo, the great voice of Africa from Benin, sings her own texts to the music, dressed in truly regal robes. The songs are linked by seven of the riddles that the Queen of Sheba set King Salomon.
Performers
Angélique Kidjo vocals
Ibrahim Maalouf trumpet and direction
Hamburger Camerata
François Delporte guitar
Mohamed Derouiche guitar
Pierre Gibbe bass guitar
Frank Woeste piano
Stephane Galland drums
David Donatien percussion
Programme
»Queen of Sheba«
Subscription
Elbphilharmonie for Adventurers
Festival
Reflektor Angélique Kidjo