World premier at the Barbican Theatre, London, 27 June
Gétachew Mekurya, Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Esheté, Mulatu Astatqé and most of Either/Orchestra
Mahmoud Ahmed
Alemayehu Esheté,
Gétachew Mekurya
Mulatu Astatqé
Either/Orchestra
A great concert, high on warmth, emotion, and enthusiasm. A little under-rehearsed at times (a rather wobbly beginning and a few gaps here and there), this was the first time the backing orchestra had performed with the Ethiopiques stars Alemayehu Esheté, apart from a 9-hour rehearsal the day before.
Nevertheless as the concert progressed, and each successive soloist outperformed his predeccessor, it all came together with a creditable rendition of the Ethiopiques sound backing some extraordinary performances. Mahmoud Ahmed stole the night with his tremendous voice and engagement with the audience.
(Thanks for the clarification, below.)
PhotoDelusions 
Actually, the Either/Orchestra has worked with several of the Ethiopian performers before. Volume 20 of the Ethiopiques series is their live recording with Gétachew Mekurya and Mulatu Astatqé (among others).
It was just Alemayehu Esheté that they had not played with before, and just had that one rehearsal day to prepare.
Comment by dashford — 30 June 2008 @ 10:47 pm
[…] performing on stage for the first time together in the UK – ever. Someone has been wonderful about blogging some pix of the concert. The whole set is at […]
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