Canticum Novum

Canticum Novum invites you on a sensory and musical journey to the heart of the Mediterranean basin, the cradle of civilisations, cultural exchanges and musical traditions dating back thousands of years. Driven by a desire to reveal the richness and diversity of the musical heritage of this maritime world, the ensemble explores repertoires that have crossed centuries and shores, weaving a fruitful dialogue between East and West.

Following in the footsteps of the Sephardic communities expelled from Catalonia in the 15th and 16th centuries, the programme takes us from the Iberian Peninsula to the Ottoman Empire, via Catalan, Sephardic, Turkish and Ottoman cultures. From the poignant Canço del Lladre to the vibrant Tyrlicotissa, each piece embodies the memory of a people on the move, of a changing world. These songs bear witness to exile, cultural mixing and the incredible power of oral tradition.

Canticum Novum draws on the deep roots of the Mediterranean, where the sacred and secular songs of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim worlds intertwine. By bringing these ancient repertoires back to life, the ensemble builds bridges between cultures and eras, between the sounds of yesterday and the emotions of today. The Mediterranean thus becomes a space for encounter, shared memory and musical hospitality.

Cast - 6 musicians
Barbara Kusa, Emmanuel Bardon, vocals
Bayan Rida, oud & vocals
Aliocha Regnard, nyckelharpa
Spyros Halaris, kanun
Ismaïl Mesbahi, percussion