Constantinople and Kiya Tabassian

‘Estuary’ is a musical journey where cultures, traditions, and human stories converge. Acclaimed artists Kiya Tabassian, Ablaye Cissoko, and Patrick Graham weave together the sounds of the Persian setar, the West African kora, and expressive percussion to create an intimate performance celebrating encounters, shared humanity, and the beauty that emerges when different worlds meet.
Estuary is a celebration of encounter, transformation, and shared humanity. Inspired by the place where freshwater meets the sea, where currents merge and new life begins, the programme explores the creative possibilities that emerge when musical traditions flow together.

For more than a decade, Kiya Tabassian and Ablaye Cissoko have cultivated an extraordinary artistic partnership, creating a dialogue between Persian and Mandinka musical traditions. Their performances transcend geography and history, bringing together the delicate resonance of the setar and the lyrical voice of the kora in a conversation shaped by friendship, curiosity, and mutual respect. Joined by acclaimed percussionist Patrick Graham, they create richly textured soundscapes that invite audiences into an intimate world of reflection, storytelling, and discovery.

Inspired by remarkable individuals whose quiet generosity and humanity leave lasting impressions, the music celebrates lives that illuminate our shared path. Like the meeting of river and ocean, these compositions become spaces where memories, traditions, and universal emotions intertwine, revealing beauty through connection rather than difference.