Classical Motifs

Iranian/Persian culture has long fascinated and inspired poets and musicians in Europe. This conversation between Dominic Parviz Brookshaw (Professor of Persian Literature and Iranian Culture at Wadham College), Francesca Leoni (Curator of Islamic Art at the Ashmolean Museum) and Laudan Nooshin (Professor of Music at City University), introduced by Professor Philip Bullock, explores recurring themes in Persian art, poetry and music from the 14th century onwards, and examines where these intersect with the western song canon.

This event is a prelude to the world premiere at 5pm of 'The Phoenix', a remarkable new work by the Iranian composer Mahdis Golzar Kashani, with artists including acclaimed British-Iranian soprano Soraya Mafi, and BBC New Generation Artist James Atkinson: full details here.

Francesca Leoni will guide people towards relevant highlights of the Ashmolean Museum collection, which you are encouraged to visit between Event 2 and Event 3.

Presented in association with the Bodleian Libraries.