TEHRAN – Iran’s National Orchestra performed a repertoire of popular religious pieces in honor of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Imam of the Shia, at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Saturday evening.

Vocalist Mohammad Esfahani accompanied the orchestra during the concert conducted by Fereidun Shahbazian.

The concert named “Hadith of Greatness” was organized in memory of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions who were martyred in Karbala in 680 CE.

Deputy Culture Minister for Artistic Affairs Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi and director of Iran’s Institute for Development of Contemporary Art, Mehdi Afzali, were also among the concertgoers.

The repertoire featured pieces by Shahbazian, including “Mourning”, “Hadith of Greatness” and “Depressed Buds” with lyrics by Soheil Mahmudi, Hessan Chaichian and several other songwriters. 

Photo: Vocalist Mohamad Esfahani (L) and conductor Fereidun Shahbazian acknowledge the audience after a performance by the National Orchestra at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on October 13, 2018. (Mehr/Majid Haqdoost)

RM/MMS/YAW