TEHRAN -- In a stunning cross-cultural showcase, the Iranian ensemble Hamnavazan-e Fakheh (The Nightingale Ensemble) stole the spotlight at Russia’s DairaFest International Festival in St. Petersburg, reigniting global attention on the power and depth of Persian classical music.
Now in the second year of a two-year project spotlighting Iran’s musical heritage, DairaFest teamed up with the group’s leader and composer Khashayar Parsa to craft a vivid sonic journey tracing the evolution of Iranian music — from medieval modal traditions to the emotive sophistication of the Qajar era and beyond.
Last year’s inaugural installment centered on the Montazemieh School and the works of 15th-century master Abd al-Qadir Maraghi, bringing to life the rich aesthetics of Iran’s musical golden age. This year, the ensemble expanded that vision with two highly anticipated performances that blurred the line between tradition and innovation.
The first concert (October 19) paid homage to Qajar-era luminaries Darvish Khan and Hussein Taherzadeh, with Hedayat Kalari on setar, Alireza Rasouli on kamancheh, and Mehdi Shahsavar delivering vocal improvisations that breathed new energy into classical Persian phrasing. The show — staged in one of St. Petersburg’s historical venues — drew a packed crowd and was broadcast live on Russian television.
The second performance (October 26) took a bold step forward, reimagining Persian classical motifs through a contemporary lens. Parsa led on santur, joined by Abuzar Husseini (oud), Muhammad-Mehdi Sheikh (tar), Arman Heydarian (kamancheh), and Hussein Gazor (tonbak). Vocalists Ahmad Shakouri and Neda Shahsavar layered haunting harmonies, creating a rare polyphonic texture that resonated deeply with audiences.
Held at the iconic Alexandrinsky Theatre, one of Russia’s oldest and most prestigious stages, the concert sold out two days before opening night — a clear sign of the growing fascination with Iranian classical artistry among Russian audiences.
“We wanted to show Iranian music not as a relic of the past, but as a living language of dialogue and creativity,” said Parsa. “Through DairaFest, we’ve built a bridge where Iranian aesthetics can speak in a global context.”
With Mehdi Husseini — composer, scholar, and the festival’s Iranian advisor — also present, Hamnavazan-e Fakhteh’s success underscored a broader truth: Persian modal music, rooted in centuries of tradition, continues to resonate across borders. It’s not just heritage — it’s a heartbeat, echoing in the global soundscape of today.