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Tra Oriente e Occidente
March 6 @ 19:00 - 20:30
- Valentina Bellanova
ney and flutes - Namritha Nori
voice and percussion - Alvise Seggi
cello and Arabic oud
From the red earth where papaya and sandalwood trees are mirrored in the Indian Ocean to the cold, post-industrial beauty of a multi-ethnic Berlin, Namritha and Valentina meet—yet they choose to do so at the crossroads of East and West: Istanbul.
In this city of cats and seagulls, immersed in the clinking of çay glasses and the scent of the Bosphorus, they chose to follow the whirlwind of its overwhelming music and the diverse peoples who have painted the soul of this place. From Sephardic and Greek-Anatolian music to Kurdish melodies and original compositions, Valentina and Namritha take us on a journey through the colors, languages, and traditions of this land, as well as their own personal cultural roots spanning Istanbul, Berlin, and Venice.
Valentina Bellanova trained as a recorder player at the “Luigi Cherubini” Conservatory in Florence before continuing her studies in Germany at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien in Hannover, where she earned a diploma in Early Music and Solo Performance. She later obtained a Master’s in Medieval Music from the Folkwang Universität der Künste in Essen.
She has deepened her knowledge of modal repertoire and Near Eastern traditions by studying the ney under the guidance of Ömer Erdoğdular and Kudsi Erguner; she performs on both Turkish and Arabic ney. Her expertise also extends to traditional wind instruments such as the bagpipes and ciaramella within Mediterranean musical traditions.
Valentina has performed as a soloist in prestigious international venues and festivals, including the Berlin Philharmonie, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Cologne Philharmonie, and the Komische Oper Berlin. She frequently collaborates with transcultural Arabic and Early Music ensembles such as the Syriab Ensemble, Ensemble Ruhr, Musica Antiqua Latina, and the Pera Ensemble. She describes herself as a “border musician”—a wanderer between eras and cultures.
Namritha Nori is an Italian-Indian singer, musician, and songwriter. Her music explores her roots and identities across India, Italy, and the Middle East.
From a young age, she traveled throughout Europe as a member of the Pueri Cantores choir, participating in major productions and collaborations. She holds a diploma in operatic singing from the Pollini Conservatory in Padua and has collaborated with the Münchener Bach-Chor in Munich.
Mi Linda Dama in 2015—an emerging band on the Italian world music scene—participating in prominent national and international festivals. She subsequently studied Arabic and Greek-Anatolian music in Beirut and Istanbul.
Traces and Roots, marking her first work as a singer, composer, and producer. The album features original compositions in multiple languages, blending Middle Eastern traditions, Anatolian styles, and ethno-jazz.
ADMISSION DETAILS
Admission subject to availability. Mandatory drink: €15.00
