SONGS of Feasting and Flames: A sephardic celebration of Hanuka is a festive mixture of sacred and secular songs focused on the feast of Hanuka. The music of the Sephardim was preserved by its women through oral tradition, passing down cautionary tales, love ballads and even recipes, from generation to generation. This stellar ensemble of female vocal superstars will sing both raucous party tunes, psalms, laments about the Maccabees and piyyutim (liturgical poems) accompanied by percussion, oud, ney, recorder and spoons.
All concerts are free; no tickets or reservations are necessary.
About the Ensemble
Nell Snaidas + Daphna Mor & friends was formed in 2017 and made its debut on the WQXR Midtown Masters series. This ensemble is dedicated to exploring the the traditions of and influences on the music of the Sephardim both from Spain and the diaspora. The exchange among the rich musical cultures of Jews, Christians, and Muslims provides a fascinating mosaic of sound that demonstrates how much better we are when we live together peacefully with our neighbors.
Nell Snaidas, soprano, percussion
Daphna Mor, voice & winds
Rex Benincasa, percussion
Kane Mathis, oud
Kirsten Sollek, voice
Michele Kennedy, voice
Tracy Cowart, voice
Sian Ricketts, voice