Land of hope
and music
Friday,
15th August 2003
(Article published with kind permission of Northeast Press
Limited,
Sunderland Echo)
AN ASYLUM seeker from
Azerbaijan is resurrecting her singing career thanks to Sunderland
Symphony Orchestra.
Irada Akhundova had a
promising career in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku, but was forced to flee
the country with her husband, Rufat.
In Sunderland, the couple
heard about a percussion group, 'Sound, Rhythm And Soul,' run by the
orchestra's musical director, Rupert Hanson, and went to a rehearsal.
Rupert realised Irada's
potential and gave her lessons.
She is now poised to make
her British concert debut at an event in Sunderland next month.
lrada will be one of the
soloists, along with Rupert's son, Miles, in the symphony orchestra's
promenade concert at West Park Church on Saturday, September 13.
Sound Rhythm and Soul,
which also includes musicians from Rwanda and India, will perform in the
show.
Music from Harry Potter is
in the programme, along with such proms favourites as Jerusalem, Rule
Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.
Tickets range from £5 to
£10. Tel. 534 2413.
MUSIC OF NATIONS:
(Top) Irada Akhundova, from Azerbaijan, and Julius Gakuru (above).
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