Sound Artist, Composer, Storytelling

Currently undertaking a PhD in Composition at The University of Manchesters Novars Research Centre

www.hayleysuviste.co.uk

Born in London, Bushra El-Turk has written over 50 works for the concert hall, the stage, film, TV and live art performance. Her work is often defined by the integration of musics and musicians from different cultural traditions, and the compulsion to highlight and challenge socio-cultural issues. Her works blur written and improvisational elements, forbearing the influence of her Lebanese roots all the while leaning towards the theatrical, creating works that are '...ironic...', '...arresting...' and of 'limitless imagination'.

Selected by the BBC as one of the most inspiring 100 Women of today, her pieces have been performed by the London Symphony Orchestra,  the BBC Proms, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Opera House, London Sinfonietta, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG), Manchester Camerata, Opera Holland Park, National Opera Studio, OrchestUtopica (Portugal), Athelas Sinfonietta (Denmark) Hermes Ensemble (Belgium), Orchestre National de Lorraine (France), Latvian Radio Choir, Ensemble Saraband (Germany), Atlas Ensemble, Ensemble Zerafin, Orkest de ereprijs (Holland), Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, Lunatics at Large (USA) and Wissam Boustany. Performances have been at venues including the Lincoln Centre (New York), Deutsche Oper Haus (Berlin), Bridgewater Hall (Manchester), Birmingham Symphony Hall, Cadogan Hall, the Southbank and the Barbican (London). 

She completed an AHRC funded PhD in Musical Composition at the University of Birmingham under the supervision of Michael Zev Gordon where she explored the integration of Middle-Eastern and Western art music. 

2019 saw the world premiere of Tmesis for Symphony Orchestra, performed by the BBCSO at the Dubai Opera House at the BBC Proms Opening night and was excited to be commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra again to perform Tuqus for multi ability orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, a London Sinfonietta commission and a piece for Studio Dan, commissioned by the MusikProtokol festival in Gratz. 

For 2021, Bushra has contributed to the curation of a new opera festival called All Arias Bienniale Festival 2021 with Opera Ballet Vlaandern, DeSingel Antwerp, LOD Musiektheater, Concertgebauw Brugge and Musiektheater Transparent where she is Guest Artist and face of the festival. Woman at Point Zero Opera will premiere during this festival, as well as a Concergebauw Brugge commission based on their Angel Series, amongst other works by Bushra. In addition, Bushra has been co-commissioned by Orchestre de Chambre de Paris and Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier to write a concertino for Taegum and orchestra, performed by Hyelim Kim which will premiere in the 2021/2022 Season.

Bushra's music is published by Composers Edition and is artistic director of Ensemble Zar. 

February 2021

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