A SYMPHONY OF PEACE:

Within the historic Saint-Séverin Church in Paris, music transcended mere sound and became a living force. For the 350 spectators present, the evening of 9 August was not simply a concert, but a profound testament to unity, courage, and the enduring power of human connection.

At the helm stood Ferrouze Gadery, Executive Director of the Emirates Choir Association (ECA). Her mission was clear: to transform diversity into strength, to allow every voice its own brilliance, and to employ music as a bridge across cultures, faiths, and generations. Founded by thirteen visionaries — including neurodivergent talents and cultural leaders — ECA stands today as a beacon of inclusion, dialogue, and cross-cultural understanding.

This performance was far more than artistry; it was a statement of hope, a call to confront injustice, and a reminder that music speaks the universal language of empathy.

Four extraordinary artists brought this vision to life:

From Frances’s crystalline interpretations to Marjan’s transcendent oud arrangements of sacred works, and Carlo’s seamless union of singing while playing the organ, each performance flowed effortlessly into the next, shaping a concert that spoke of courage, grace, and artistry in its purest form.

At the heart of this radiant ensemble was David Alain Nihi, internationally recognised as ALAN-NIHIL. A distinguished cultural diplomat, he received the 2024 Médaille d’Or from the Académie Honorifique Française: Arts, Sciences et Lettres, and has been honored for four consecutive years as Composer of Honour by the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts at the Louvre. His signature fusion of Western classical refinement with Middle Eastern and global influences unified the evening into a seamless work of harmony. The evening was made all the more special by the presence of Dr. Laila Almheiri, Chairwoman of ECA.

The concert also carried the distinction of the attendance of Dr. Laila Almheiri, Chairwoman of ECA, who came especially for this occasion. From Frances’s crystalline interpretations, to Marjan’s transcendent oud arrangements of sacred works, and Carlo’s daring feat of singing whilst playing the organ, every moment became a testament to courage, grace, and artistry.

When asked about her vision for the programme, Ferrouze Gadery spoke with conviction:
“This is ECA’s mission brought to life — to transform diversity into strength and fuse individual voices into one collective force.”

Her careful curation of artists from classical, world, and sacred traditions demonstrated that beauty lies not in uniformity but in the blending of differences. Each performer contributed not only their skill but their spirit. This was not a display of ego — it was a soul-to-soul exchange, rooted in sincerity, truth, and love. That invisible bond became the true magic of the night.

The programme unfolded like a journey of the heart, flowing through sacred arias and world classics — from Schubert’s Ave Maria and Bach’s Erbarme Dich, to Rossini’s Agnus Dei and Fauré’s Panis Angelicus. The evening reached its pinnacle when Fatima and Frances, dressed in gowns by Palestinian designer Hindy Mahdi, began from opposite ends of the church. Their voices met mid-aisle, carrying Panis Angelicus into the candlelit vaults. When they clasped hands at the altar, the music ceased to be sound alone — it became a living symbol of peace. Tears shimmered across the audience, each one a reflection of shared humanity.

For Marjan Ravandi, the night affirmed that music transcends boundaries. Her oud became a vessel, sailing effortlessly between East and West, carrying melodies older than memory yet alive in the present. Together, the four artists illustrated that in music’s embrace, differences dissolve.

Saint-Séverin — a monument to centuries of faith — became the perfect stage for Ferrouze Gadery’s message: that love and humanity can transcend religion, nationality, and culture. In a divided world, she chose the most powerful instrument of all — music — to convey hope, faith, and compassion.

Founded on the belief that music unites where words divide, ECA’s performance was more than a concert — it was a declaration of resilience, openness, and cultural dialogue. As the audience stepped into the Parisian night, one sentiment was unanimous: never before had this church felt such emotion. The voices lingered long after the final note, carrying Ferrouze Gadery’s message far beyond Saint-Séverin — a call for unity destined to resonate for years to come. For the 350 spectators present, the evening was not simply a concert but a profound testament to courage, connection, and the enduring power of music.

“We must stand firm to protect and rise against injustice, wherever it arises. This concert is more than music — it is a cry through tears, a call to end the unjustifiable and to transform pain into love, using the universal language of music.”

— SUNA MOYA