Qiyan were highly educated slave-women of varying ethnic backgrounds who entertained at the muslim courts in former times. These women were highly prized poets, singers, instrumentalists and dancers, and were responsible for performing and spreading the works of the composers of the period.

 As the Christian warlords conquered more and more of the muslim territories in Spain, i.e. al-Andalus/ Sepharad, Qiyan were captured and taken back to the courts of Europe as booty.

”The first troubadour”, William of Aquitaine (969–1030), grew up among Qiyan and was surely influenced by them. The troubadour movement which started in Provence contributed to spreading their influence to the rest of Europe, as these travelling musicians moved from court to court

 Suffice it to say that these our predecessors have forged and handed down a strong tradition of improvisation and renewal. We like to think that we sail in their wake, sending on new ripples to the future…

 Beyond our usual concertprogram, we can present a concert performance built on the dramatic story about St: Helena, patron saint of the swedish town Skövde. During the 12th century she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land after having been charged with killing her son- in -law, who mistreated her daughter. When she came home, she in turn was murdered in wergeance, but a well sprung up on the site and several wonders took place. In our free version of the story, she encounters many different people, cultures and situations during her travels.The show consists of music, story and dramatic performance. It is interesting in many aspects, in that it takes up themes like domestic violence, exile, blood revenge and affects the brotherhood between religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam.Our pilgrim’s music has roots in Sweden as well as abroad, and we use the traditional Swedish folk instruments in combination with classical instruments (harp concert, concert flute), medieval instruments and instruments from the Middle East. It will be a fruitful cross-fertilization.

 

We have also a very exclusive consertprogram for christmas called The Rose and The Star, in which we present arabic Maria-hymns, Villancicos,(spanish christmas songs in flamenco style) and ancient nordic and european christmas music.

Music: