Soprano Racha Rizk Photo: Supplied
Syrian soprano Racha Rizk is in the country for the New Zealand Festival of the Arts. She's performing in the Festival's opening concert on Friday, which is Gorecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs in a choreographed version by Lemi Ponifasio.
Racha is one of those extraordinary people who can sing just about anything – from opera to jazz, and world music through to pop songs.
She talks with David Morriss about what it's like to sing such a wide range of genres, musical life in Syria, and her experience as a refugee.
She says "Our role as musicians... is to pass the message peacefully through art... to let humanity understand that we don't have to commit the same crimes [over] again."
Chosen and Beloved
Racha Rizk (soprano), MAU Wāhine, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conductor Kristjan Järvi
Friday 21 February 2020 7:30pm
Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
