"For me as a child, Umm Kulthum was the voice of God," reveals Ghalia Benali. "Her voice touched the soul, not just the ears." Born in Brussels and raised in an artistic family in Tunisia, the singer was exposed to different musical styles at an early age – and continues to dance between cultures to this day. One of her greatest inspirations remains Umm Kulthum, arguably the most famous voice in the Middle East, who serves as Benali's "honorary grandmother." Together with the Iranian setar virtuoso Kiya Tabassian and his Ensemble Constantinople, she is dedicated to setting the poems of the "Rubaiyat" to music.

Ensemble Constantinople

Dec 13, 2025

Ghalia Benali / Constantinople Ensemble

Ensemble Constantinople