SPOTLIGHT
ORCHESTRAL QAWWALI PROJECT IS “TRUE MAGIC”
TO Live and Small World Music present the Canadian premiere of the Orchestral Qawwali Project featuring Abi Sampa and Rushil Ranjan. Image credit: GAËLLE BERI.
A transcendent fusion of East and West comes to Toronto this February as TO Live and Small World Music present the Orchestral Qawwali Project, a breathtaking reimagining of Sufi devotional music that has captivated audiences around the world.
Taking the stage at Meridian Hall on February 13, this one-night-only performance marks the Project’s first-ever appearance in Canada.
Widely hailed as the most significant step forward in Sufi music in decades, the Orchestral Qawwali Project unites the soaring vocals of Abi Sampa, the commanding energy of a qawwali ensemble, and lush orchestral arrangements written and directed by composer Rushil Ranjan. Together, they create an immersive sound world where traditional Sufi poetry, Indian classical dance, and Western symphonic textures meet – leading audiences toward the very heart of spiritual ecstasy.
Having sold out landmark venues across Europe, including London’s Royal Albert Hall, The Barbican Centre, and Roundhouse, the ensemble has drawn critical acclaim and an ever-growing global following. Their single Rubaru – an original 12-minute work written for full symphony orchestra and qawwali troupe – was billed as the first of its kind, amassing millions of streams worldwide.
Listen to Rubaru here.
Described by Vogue as “the holy trifecta of music” and by The Times as “the true magic of the evening,” the Project transforms every hall it enters into a space of shared release and reflection. Its powerful call-and-response vocals and ecstatic rhythms invite audiences into a collective experience that transcends genre, language, and belief.
Taking the stage at Meridian Hall on February 13, this one-night-only performance marks the Project’s first-ever appearance in Canada. Image credit: GAËLLE BERI.
Sufi music is a devotional genre of music inspired by Sufi poets and mystics, aiming to create a spiritual connection with the divine. It often features repetitive rhythms and melodies to induce a trance-like state. A well-known form is Qawwali, originating from South Asia, which emphasizes the words of religious poetry in its performance.
When and where: Friday, February 13, 7 pm, Meridian Hall, 1 Front Street East, Toronto.
Tickets: Starting at $65.50-$219.50 (taxes and per-ticket fees included). A per-order fee may apply. Now on sale and available online at tolive.com, by phone at 416-366-7723 and 1-800-708-6752, and in person at the Meridian Hall and Meridian Arts Centre box offices.
For more information, visit tolive.com.
2.Orchestral Qawwali Project Photo by Gaëlle Beri