The Israeli Andalusian Orchestra () is a musical ensemble based in

Ashdod Ashdod (, ; , , or ; Philistine language, Philistine: , romanized: *''ʾašdūd'') is the List of Israeli cities, sixth-largest city in Israel. Located in the country's Southern District (Israel), Southern District, it lies on the Mediterranean ...

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

History

Originating as a project to honor the heritage of immigrants from the

Maghreb The Maghreb (; ), also known as the Arab Maghreb () and Northwest Africa, is the western part of the Arab world. The region comprises western and central North Africa, including Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. The Maghreb al ...

, the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra was formed in Ashdod in December 1987, as a joint initiative of the liturgical singer and classical conductor Moti Malka and then-mayor Arieh Azulay, both of Moroccan origin. The Orchestra is financed by the Ashdod municipality and the Culture Ministry and has toured Israel, the United States, and several European countries. The orchestra comprises around 30 musicians and singers, mainly of

Tunisia Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia also shares m ...

n, Moroccan and

Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...

n origin. It features traditional

Sephardic Sephardic Jews, also known as Sephardi Jews or Sephardim, and rarely as Iberian Peninsular Jews, are a Jewish diaspora population associated with the historic Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and their descendant ...

Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

Arab Arabs (, , ; , , ) are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in West Asia and North Africa. A significant Arab diaspora is present in various parts of the world. Arabs have been in the Fertile Crescent for thousands of years ...

and

Andalusian music Andalusia is a region in Spain. Andalusian may also refer to: Animals * Andalusian chicken, a type of chicken * Andalusian donkey, breed of donkey * Andalusian hemipode, a buttonquail, one of a small family of birds *Andalusian horse, a breed of ...

and poetry, combining classical Arab-Andalusian and European instruments. The orchestra's artistic director and head conductor is Sivan Albo-Ben Hur.

Awards and recognition

In 2006, the orchestra was awarded the

Israel Prize The Israel Prize (; ''pras israél'') is an award bestowed by the State of Israel, and regarded as the state's highest cultural honor. History Prior to the Israel Prize, the most significant award in the arts was the Dizengoff Prize and in Israel ...

, for its lifetime achievement and special contribution to society and the State.

References

External links

Orchestre Andalou d'Israel - CDs
Magda Records
Orchestre Andalou d'Israel - VideosThe Life and Death Andalusian Orchestra. Documentary film
Directed by David Noy

{{Authority control Israeli orchestras Israel Prize recipients that are organizations Israel Prize for lifetime achievement & special contribution to society recipients Ashdod Musical groups established in 1994 1994 establishments in Israel Maghrebi Jewish culture in Israel

History

Awards and recognition

See also

References

External links