The Musicians of the Nile / "Mousaferoun"/ Creation 2007 by Béatrice Grognard

In “Mousaferoun”, the Belgian choreographer and dancer, Béatrice Grognard,accompanied by 5 of her dancers, is reunited with the renowned « Musiciens of the Nile » of Luxor. Majestic and revered, the « Musicians of the Nile » owe their origins to a caste of professional musicians linked to gypsy clans who settled in Egypt in the XI century. They are the virtuosos of instruments such as the inventive rababa, violin made of horsehair, coconut and fish skin, the arghûl, a bewitching double-piped clarinet made of reed, the mizmâr, wood from Upper Egypt with incisive sounds and the invigorating saïdi drums, the duff and tabla, percussion instruments. A unique artistic complicity unites the dancer and choreographer, Béatrice Grognard, with the “Musicians of the Nil”, who are delighted to see their secular music glorified by the polished movements, the dramatic expression and emotion which is at times internal, and then trance-link characterising the dance of his artist. “Mousaferoun”: A show of dance and of music from Upper Egypt, revealing a unique meeting of East and West, where the traditional and modern, instinct and technique, melancholy, humour and intense joy, all blend together in harmony. A constant dialogue between the dancer, musicians and singers, an abundance of brilliant colours and captivating rhythms. www.tarabofegypt.com