Peking Opera, Indian classical music, and songs inspired by Arabic poetry came together in a unique performance celebrating cultural diversity in Oxford, England. The Art Beyond Borders Initiative (ABBI) hosted an immersive concert at the city’s historic Holywell Music Room, aiming to bridge cultures through music.
The evening featured a rich tapestry of performances. “A Bird Singing in the Wind,” a Chinese art song performed by soprano Betty Yan and pianist Yuchen Zhang, captivated the audience with its melodic beauty. Indian classical music was showcased through Aastha Mohapatra’s “Song of Radha,” highlighting the lyrical elegance of Raags. Meanwhile, “Aatini Al Naya Wa Ghanni,” inspired by the poetry of Khalil Gibran, demonstrated the profound storytelling found in Arabic music.
Audiences were treated to a fusion of traditional instruments, operatic vocals, and classical compositions that transcended language and cultural barriers. A highlight of the evening was a Peking Opera performance, where performers spent three hours meticulously preparing their makeup, immersing spectators in the intricate artistry of the genre.
“I founded ABBI to create a platform for artists from different backgrounds to engage in cultural dialogue through music,” said Betty Yan, founder of ABBI and co-convener of the Graduate Research Colloquium at Oxford’s Faculty of Music. “Seeing the audience embrace and enjoy multicultural art from different parts of the world was incredibly rewarding. Many told me they were amazed, having never encountered these art forms before.”
Performers expressed that the variety of music helped them understand more about their own art. “There are not many opera singers from India, and I’ve been singing for over 15 years,” said Aastha Mohapatra, an internationally recognized soprano from Delhi. “I’m passionate about bringing Eastern voices to the stage, and I’m thrilled to share an art form that many haven’t encountered before.”
Audience members immersed themselves in the music, embracing the unique storytelling of each culture. “It’s amazing to see different traditions redefine classical music beyond the usual Western narrative,” said Andrianna, a Ukrainian graduate scholar from Somerville College, Oxford.
This concert marked ABBI’s first major event of 2025, setting the stage for an ambitious year ahead. Beyond performances, ABBI plans to host an international opera festival, interdisciplinary conferences, and collaborative art projects, continuing its mission to foster inclusivity and meaningful cultural dialogue.
