Bradshaw Music Productions

22/08/2025

Ever since I was a child - I have been obsessed with Egypt… the ancient empire and its glorious ruins; and the stories they tell about where we’ve been, where we are and where we might go…

Golden desert, god-kings, and temples that will stand long after we are gone…

I could never have imagined that one day I would premiere a major work here. It is, quite simply, mind-boggling.

When Maestro Nagui and his wife, soprano Dina Iskander asked me to compose a Requiem, my first question was, “Who is it for?” The answer - “No one” - allowed the work to take on a life of its own.

On a personal level - it is a dedication to a mother who lost her son in the most heartbreaking way. More broadly, it speaks to all who endure the grief of loss. In a time when humanity itself feels strained by opposing forces, solace might be the one unifier.

This Requiem, whilst it faces death - is not about the dead; but those left behind. The living who experience grief, who experience the shadow of loss.

Nayer Nagui
Bibliotheca Alexandrina - مكتبة الاسكندرية
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Orchestra
Cairo Celebration Choir - CCC - كورال القاهرة الإحتفالي
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Choir - كورال مكتبة الاسكندرية
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Youth Orchestra - أوركسترا شباب مكتبة الإسكندرية
Dina Iskander (Soprano)
Thalie Knights (Mezzo Soprano)
Aleksandar Stefanoski (Bass)
Reham Mahmoud (Viola)
Danielle Arcaro

Shady Abdelsalam (BA Youth Orchestra Coach)
Donia Akram Deghedy (BA Choir Master)

Sep 12th, 8pm at Bibliotheca Alexandrina Conference Center Great Hall
Tickets at the Box Office or online through: https://onlineticketing.bibalex.org/
Sep 13th, 8pm at All Saints' Cathedral, Cairo

In co-operation with the Australian Embassy in Egypt

06/09/2024

A lovely interview with Leonardo Bautista from Opera Notes (based in Mexico) about all things Zarqa!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLzeIbCWUQs

Lots of FAQs answered here - as best I can at any rate... and you can see my collection of Transformers (and Minions) right behind my head! 😂

Interview with Lee Bradshaw Australian Composer About Zarqa Al Yamama, the first grand opera produced in Saudi Arabia

14/01/2024

I am delighted to announce my participation as composer of the upcoming production of "Zarqa Al Yamama", the first ever grand opera to be produced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This historic event is set to premiere on Thursday 25th April 2024 in Riyadh, running for a series of eight performances.�The pre-Islamic story is a tale about a blue eyed mystic called Zarqa who attempts warn her tribe of impending doom through her powers of foresight. Parts of the Zarqa story are said to have influenced elements of Shakespeare’s "Macbeth".

The Opera is set and will be performed - in Arabic.

I am incredibly honoured and humbled to have been asked to contribute the score, and even more astounded to have the magnificent Dame Sarah Connolly feature in the title role; accompanied by the Dresdner Sinfoniker and the Czech Philharmonic Choir conducted by Pablo Gonzalez in a production directed by the wonderful Daniele Finzi Pasca and his team.

My belief that music has the capacity to transcend borders, galvanises my involvement in this project; and the opportunity to hear music and sounds that are new and unique to me, and to then give something completely new in return; to share music and to collaborate in such a unique part of the world in such a unique way - I simply couldn’t be more thrilled.

The Opera is discussed at length in an article by John Arlidge for the Sunday Times UK (attached):