As part of the Bloomsbury Festival 2023, Conway Hall is gearing up to host a musical event on Friday, 20 October, featuring the Grand Union Orchestra which is known for celebrating the diversity of global musical traditions.
The show, titled “From Bengal to Bloomsbury,” commissioned by the festival, is directed by tabla maestro Yousuf Ali Khan.
During this event, some of the most prominent Bengali vocalists and instrumentalists in the UK will collaborate with the musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra.
The performance spotlights renowned Bengali vocalist Lucy Rahman and introduces sitar virtuoso Jonathan Mayer in his Grand Union debut.
Accompanying them are musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra, including Louise Elliott (tenor saxophone and flute) and Shanti Jayasinha (trumpet, cello).
The programme which will feature songs by Lalon Shah, Kobi Nasrul, and Sheikh Luthfur Rahman, Lucy’s father, Sheikh Luthfur Rahman
(who was a dedicated activist supporting Bangladesh’s independence), is set to explore the musical heritage, language, and culture of Bangladesh and its diaspora within the contemporary context of London.
Additionally, traditional songs and classical ragas will reflect the depth of Bangladesh’s cultural legacy and under the guidance of Yousuf Ali Khan, the audience is expected to embark on a journey through traditional melodies, blended with soulful ragas.
Attendees will get a taste of the vibrant musical landscape that enriches the cultural fabric of the UK, promising an evening of both entertainment and cultural enlightenment, a press note from the Grand Union Orchestra said.
