In March, the Ismaili Community Ensemble, together with musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, dazzled audiences with rousing performances in celebration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee at the Ismaili Centre in London.

The newly-formed Ismaili Community Ensemble dazzled audiences with rousing performances in celebration of Mawlana Hazar Imam's Golden Jubilee. The spectacular concerts were held during the course of three nights from 28 February – 1 March 2008 at the Ismaili Centre in London.

The Ensemble, which is made up of 30 talented musicians and vocalists of all ages from the Jamat, collaborated with musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Fusing original classical and modern music with inspiring lyrics from the East and the West, they successfully created melodies expressing the pluralism and richness of traditions within the Jamat.

The pieces drew upon a range of traditions, including a musical interpretation of Ibn Hani al-Andalusi's poetry entitled You are the one. Vocalists in the Ensemble performed a powerful three-part harmony, beginning with a simple melody set to the word Bismillah and its English translation. They also rendered a composition set to the words of the poem The Rising of the Sun by Ra'is Hasan.

The moving performances deeply touched the audience through their captivating melodies and lyrical compositions.