West-Eastern Divan Ensemble
West-Eastern Divan Ensemble Joins the Roster
Opus 3 Artists is excited to announce North American representation and a 2025 tour of the West-Eastern Divan Ensemble. The ensemble, led by concertmaster Michael Barenboim, draws upon players of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. Founded in 1999, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra’s origins lie in the conversations between its creators, Edward W. Said and Daniel Barenboim. Over the course of their friendship, the Palestinian author-scholar and Israeli conductor-pianist discussed the urgent need for an alternative way to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This evolved into the globally renowned orchestra which has toured extensively for over 20 years. The group is comprised of Arab and Israeli members, defying fierce political divides in the Middle East and globally. Through its work and existence, the orchestra demonstrates that bridges can be built to encourage people to listen to the narrative of the other. The West-Eastern Divan Ensemble is the most recent imprint of this project and brings the highly praised artistry of the orchestra into an intimate chamber music format. The group embarked on its first tour in early 2020, appearing at venues across the U.S. In February 2023, the ensemble returned to the US where they played several concerts on the east and west coasts, including the 92Y and the UN Headquarters in New York and Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami.
In March 2025, the West-Eastern Divan Ensemble will return to North America with a program that includes works by Schubert and Pierre Boulez’s ambitious Livre pour quatuor. The ensemble is also available for residency opportunities and further educational initiatives.