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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Translation by Edward Fitzgerald performed by David Calderisi music on kamanche by Kousha Nakhaei Canadian actor David Calderisi stages a program called 'Omar Khayyam. Edward FitzGerald's Masterpiece'. The program consists of "an entertaining presentation of the story of how the poem came to be written and what it went on to become", followed by Calderisi's rendition of the poem itself. Biographies Omar Khayyam (1048 –1131) Persian mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher. Not known as a poet in his lifetime. Some years after he died a few verses said to have been composed by him came to light.
Over time the number of verses attributed to Khayyam grew to number more than a thousand. Edward Fitzgerald (1809 – 83) British, wealthy, eccentric. From two manuscripts containing more than 700 verses attributed to Khayyam, he published an English rendering of 75 verses in 1859. At first utterly unnoticed, his work went on to become the most widely published poem in the English language.
David Calderisi was born in Montreal. He trained as an actor in England. He has acted and directed in theatres throughout the UK, as well as London’s West End, and at theatres across Canada. He has taught acting and directing at the National Theatre School of Canada, at York University, and at George Brown, Humber, and Sheridan Colleges. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife Marsha and their retired racing greyhound, Maggie.
Kousha Nakhaei is a kamanche (Persian spiked fiddle) player, violinist, composer, and music educator. He performs from traditional Persian music and western classical music, to spur of the moment open improvisation. Kousha is a founding member of Sarv Ensemble, dedicated to exploring Persian music and presenting it in new both traditional and innovative forms. Kousha has collaborated with many artists including Loreena McKennit, Peter Chin and many others. He also practices Contact Improvisation and Alexander Technique. For more information, see David Calderisi's website
--- Need to know: - Doors open at 7:15 - Admission $12
