Past Event

Fri, February 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM

GORDON GRDINA

feat. Ghalia Benali, Matt Mitchell, Eylem Basaldi, Hamin Honari, Christian Lillinger

Pierre Boulez Saal

RU’YA—which means “foresight” or “vision” in Arabic—is a world-premiere ensemble that brings together diverse musical traditions, with vocalist Ghalia Benali (Belgium/Tunisia), pianist Matt Mitchell (U.S.), violinist Eylem Basaldi (Türkiye/U.S.), percussionist Hamin Honari (Canada), and drummer Christian Lillinger (Germany).

It is the culmination of 20 years of musical exploration that started with my debut album, Think Like the Waves, recorded with Gary Peacock and Paul Motian. This continued compositional development has led to projects examining the edges of tonality and including elements of Persian classical music and Arabic maqam. This new program uses an inclusive focus while creating space for each of these incredible musicians to freely express themselves in their unique voices.

This concept is taken further in collaboration with Ghalia Benali’s idea of poets as the true chroniclers of human history, capturing emotional truths, love, longing, trauma, and memory, unlike the narratives written by victors of wars. This work transforms poetic texts into universal artistic forms, proving that the deeper we dig into our roots, the more we resonate with others. By aligning differences, we discover shared emotions and end up speaking the same language, one of humanity, connection, and beauty.

RU’YA demonstrates how music and poetry can transcend borders and blend seamlessly with diverse contemporary artistic expression while we honor our origins.

—Gordon Grdina

Artists

EVENT TIMELINE

Bar opens
18:30
Hall opens
19:00
Start
19:30
No intermission
End
21:30
Bar closes
22:30
Times are approximate.

the artists

YOUR VISIT

How to get there

Pierre Boulez Saal
Barenboim-Said Akademie
Französische Straße 33d
10117 Berlin, Germany

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Public transport

U-Bahn U2 Hausvogteiplatz (350m) U5 Museumsinsel, U6 Unter den Linden (600m)
Tram M1, M12 Mitte / Am Kupfergraben
Bus 147 Werderscher Markt (100m), 100, 300, N5 Staatsoper (300m)


By Car 
Q-PARK parking garage Unter den Linden / Staatsoper
Bebelplatz 2
10117 Berlin

Theatre tariff (5:30 pm – 11:30 pm by prepayment): €10

More information on getting there by public transport, bike, or car is available on our Getting there page.

Opening Hours

Box Office

Monday to Friday 2 pm to 6 pm
Closed on weekends and holidays
On performance days, the box office is open one hour prior to an event on weekdays and two hours on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

 

Papagena Call Center

Ticket hotline +49 30 4799 7411

Monday to Saturday 9am to 8pm
Sunday and public holidays 2pm to 8pm

Food & Drinks

Casalot Catering welcomes Pierre Boulez Saal visitors before and after concerts, serving a variety of dishes of Arab cuisine.

On concert nights, the catering opens one hour before the start of an event and remains open after the performance. You may also place pre-orders for intermission right at the counter.

More info on our catering here.

Accessibility

To book wheelchair-accessible seating, other seats for visitors with disabilities, or companion seats, please contact us directly.


+49 30 4799 7411 
| tickets@boulezsaal.de 


All wheelchair seats are accessible by elevator. All visitors, including patrons using a wheelchair, will enter the Pierre Boulez Saal through the main entrance. Tickets will be checked at the hall doors.

In order to make access as easy as possible, we kindly ask that you inform us of your requirements when booking your tickets.

Restrooms for visitors with disabilities are located in the basement and on the balcony level and are accessible by elevator.

Four parking spaces for visitors with disabilities are available on the street Hinter der Katholischen Kirche.

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