Tehran Symphony Orchestra rehearses for ‘Namira’ Oratorio performances
The Tehran Symphony Orchestra held a rehearsal Saturday morning at Vahdat Hall in Tehran as the ensemble prepares for its upcoming performances of composer Behzad Abdi's oratorio ‘Namira’ on August 19-20.
The rehearsal was conducted by Nasir Heydarian, who was recently reappointed as the orchestra’s permanent conductor after previously holding the position from 2022 to 2023. The performances will mark the orchestra's return to the stage after a months-long hiatus, IRNA reported.
Abdi, born in Tehran in 1973, is known for his opera and film compositions, including the opera ‘Rumi’ released on the Naxos label. The oratorio ‘Namira’ was specially orchestrated for large orchestra, choir and soloists, and tells the story of Ashura with themes of freedom and immortality.
The production brings together prominent Iranian vocalists including Vahid Taj, Hossein Alishapour, Mojtaba Asgari, Hadi Feyzabadi, Mahmoud Salehi, Behnaz Naderi, Hossein Mirzaiyan and Mohsen Zarabadipour.
Heydarian, who studied at the University of Music Graz in Austria, has worked with various European orchestras including the Graz City Opera and Basel Symphony Orchestra. He took over from Manouchehr Sahbaei, who led the orchestra from October 2023 to March 2025.
The Tehran Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1933 by Gholamhossein Minbashian, is Iran's oldest and largest symphony orchestra. The ensemble last performed in May 2024 under Sahbaei’s direction with a program titled “From the New World” at Vahdat Hall before going on hiatus during the traditional break for Muharram and Safar months.