Faraj Abyad & Ather Orchestra NY Special Invited Rehearsal

A Special Presentation for Lightning Society Members

Tuesday, May 26th 1pm-4pm

We are so excited to present Faraj Abyad & Ather Orchestra New York for a sneak preview of their massive show - A Song of Peace - premiering at the Skirball Center later in the week. Witness an incredible look behind the curtain at the rehearsal process for a professional orchestra and meet some of the musicians afterwards. You will hear some amazing music and get to see what goes into the making of a 30-piece orchestral concert.

This event is free with RSVP and only for Lightning Society Members. 

Note: This is an invited rehearsal and there may be breaks in the program as the artists work through their pieces. You may come and go as you like throughout the experience but please keep noise to a minimum while watching the rehearsal. 

In this concert, Faraj Abyad leads Athar Orchestra New York in a powerful meeting of musical worlds. With an orchestra of 30 musicians from across the region and beyond, he explores maqam—the Arabic modal system—as a living art form shaped by centuries of musical exchange.

At the heart of the program is A Song of Peace, an original composition set to the poetry of the great Emirati poet H.E. Dr. Mani Saeed Al Otaiba. In his words— “لماذا لا نعودُ إلى التلاقي وننأى بالحوارِ عن الخصامِ” (Why do we not return to meeting one another, and through dialogue move away from conflict)—the work reflects a deeper call for unity, dialogue, and peace.

The concert brings together reimagined classics from Oum Kalthoum and Abdel Halim Hafez, alongside original compositions by Faraj Abyad, including world premieres set to poetry by H.E. Dr. Mani Saeed Al Otaiba, as well as a new work inspired by a poem about Aleppo—the city he comes from and holds close.

The program highlights composers from across the region, representing diverse religions, backgrounds, and histories, and reflects a shared musical language that has connected these traditions across time.

About the Artists

Faraj Abyad
Syrian-American vocalist, oud player, and composer, Faraj Abyad is the founder and artistic director of Athar Orchestra New York. His work centers on maqam-based composition, bringing together Pan-Arabic music traditions with Western orchestration and jazz influences. Drawing on classical Arabic poetry, his music seeks to revive the spirit of tarab while speaking to a modern, global audience. As founder and artistic director of Athar, he shapes the ensemble’s vision—both musically and conceptually—building a platform that bridges cultures and redefines the possibilities of Middle Eastern orchestral music in New York.

Ismail Lumanovski
Macedonian-born clarinetist and composer Ismail Lumanovski is known for his genre-defying artistry, blending Balkan, Middle Eastern, and jazz traditions into a singular voice. A graduate of the Juilliard School, he has performed internationally as both a soloist and collaborator, earning recognition for his virtuosic technique and deeply expressive sound. As musical director and conductor of Athar Orchestra New York, he leads the ensemble with a dynamic and fluid approach, shaping the interpretation of repertoire across traditions while maintaining a cohesive artistic vision.