Rita Sahai, director of the UC Davis Hindustani Vocal Ensemble and Vasundhara Choir.

Rita Sahai, director of the Hindustani Vocal Ensemble at UC Davis, will lead her Vasundhara choir and the UC Davis music ensemble for the “Mahfil e Darbar e Akbar” concert.

Music was a force of understanding and co-operation between different faiths and ideologies in the courts of two politically astute sixteenth century rulers—Emperor Akbar 1st of India and Elizabeth 1st of England—rulers both known for their use of tolerance as a force to strengthen and build their respective countries into leading forces on an increasingly connected world stage.

Rita Sahai, director of the Hindustani Vocal Ensemble at UC Davis, will lead her Vasundhara choir and the UC Davis music ensemble for the “Mahfil-e-Darbar-e-Akbar” concert. Her compositions will evoke memories of ancient musical traditions nurtured by Emperor Akbar and the many musicians who flourished in the 16th century.

Mrs. Sahai and her vocal groups will be accompanied by several musicians on traditional instruments: Rita Sahai (Vocals & Harmonium), Nikhil Pandya (Pakhawaj), Dan Kennedy (Tabla), Wallace Harvey (Violin), and Manjeev Singh (Dilruba).

Matilda Hofman, director of the UC Davis Early Music Ensemble, will conduct her ensemble around the theme of Queen Elizabeth I.

Date: Saturday, March 3, 2018
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location:  Ann E. Pitzer Center, UC Davis
Tickets: $10 Students and Children, $20 Adults (Open Seating)
Websites: http://arts.ucdavis.edu/event/elizabeth-and-akbar
http://www.mondaviarts.org/event/2017-18/early-music-and-hindustani-vocal-ensembles-uc-davis
http://ritasahai.com/events/