I wanted to see how different communities and nationalities worked together in harmony: Saira Peter
Pakistan’s first opera singer discusses debut album, vision behind her music and overwhelming response of industry
PHOTO: PUBLICITY
Sufism is embedded in our culture. Its notion of love, peace and harmony echoes with the world on a deeper level. On the other hand, operatic music serves the same purpose in the West. Its melodious notes and unique style touches a spiritual chord. But the fusion of these two is something Saira Peter has mastered.
Dubbing herself as a Sufi opera singer, Peter combines operatic music with the teachings of Sufism to share its richness with the rest of the world. She launched her debut album Resplendent on March 18. “My vision is to translate Sufi poetry for Western music so they can understand Pakistani people and their desire for peace,” she told The Express Tribune.
Peter has done her Masters in chemistry and history. “It’s a mystery, right?” she quipped, adding that she went for history to understand when and where what went wrong. “I wanted to see how different communities and nationalities worked together in harmony. So it’s interesting when you go back to your history and see what went wrong and why there’s so much hatred.”
The appeal of Sufi music remains unchallenged, says Kailash Kher
Peter said she found the answer in God. “While reading Spanish history, I came to know that all communities, Muslims, Jewish and Christians, lived together in Spain around 7th century.” And that led her to music. She said for Western people, opera meant “taking all your strength and energy to praise God”.
But it wasn’t Peter who came up with the idea to combine opera and Sufi thought. “When I told him I sing opera, Syed Waqar Hussain Shah, custodian of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s shrine, suggested I promote Sufi thought through opera to the Western world.”
Steven Smith, a classically trained musician, with a degree in ethno-musicology and Peter’s fiancé, said, “Opera is such a high art form. The composers have a tradition of tackling the deepest questions of humanity such as ‘who are we?’ and questions related to the Creator. When Saira started considering combining what I believe is the best of Pakistani culture with Opera, I thought it was the ideal vehicle because she’s introducing the Sufi ideas to the Western world and at the same time, something new to this part of the world.”
As to how his own message and journey intersected with hers, Smith said, “Our visions are really similar. I have always loved performing arts and seeing such a powerful part of a culture, it’s my desire to see how it can be used to bring communities together.”
That time of year: Fans flock to Sufi music extravaganza
And then, it’s something even more different when a Pakistani comes here and promotes Sufi thought through opera. Peter’s album consists of operatic music, composed by her mentor and pianist Paul Knight, sung to the English translations of Bhitai’s poetry. She also serves as the director of Noor Jehan Arts Centre in London, which was pioneered by Zafar Francis in 1998. “So, we have been promoting Pakistani values to Western audience through music since then,” said Peter.
Having been brought up in a musical environment, Peter’s childhood revolved around listening to classical music and singing choir music in churches. All the elements fit right in their places and led her to being the first Sufi opera singer.
Know no borders: Musicians aim to counter extremism through Sufi music
Discussing the response to Sufi opera, she said she was overjoyed at the positive response from the industry and the audience so far. “A lot of people came to me and said they felt like they were out of this world.” Even when she sang the title track of her album last year at London City Hall, alongside Michael Rouse, she received a tremendous response.
Peter, in her unique way, is carrying on the legacy of Benjamin Britten, a central figure in 20th century classical music and the mentor of Knight, who trained the Pakistani singer.
Have something to add in the story? Share it in the comments below.
Dubbing herself as a Sufi opera singer, Peter combines operatic music with the teachings of Sufism to share its richness with the rest of the world. She launched her debut album Resplendent on March 18. “My vision is to translate Sufi poetry for Western music so they can understand Pakistani people and their desire for peace,” she told The Express Tribune.
Peter has done her Masters in chemistry and history. “It’s a mystery, right?” she quipped, adding that she went for history to understand when and where what went wrong. “I wanted to see how different communities and nationalities worked together in harmony. So it’s interesting when you go back to your history and see what went wrong and why there’s so much hatred.”
The appeal of Sufi music remains unchallenged, says Kailash Kher
Peter said she found the answer in God. “While reading Spanish history, I came to know that all communities, Muslims, Jewish and Christians, lived together in Spain around 7th century.” And that led her to music. She said for Western people, opera meant “taking all your strength and energy to praise God”.
But it wasn’t Peter who came up with the idea to combine opera and Sufi thought. “When I told him I sing opera, Syed Waqar Hussain Shah, custodian of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s shrine, suggested I promote Sufi thought through opera to the Western world.”
Steven Smith, a classically trained musician, with a degree in ethno-musicology and Peter’s fiancé, said, “Opera is such a high art form. The composers have a tradition of tackling the deepest questions of humanity such as ‘who are we?’ and questions related to the Creator. When Saira started considering combining what I believe is the best of Pakistani culture with Opera, I thought it was the ideal vehicle because she’s introducing the Sufi ideas to the Western world and at the same time, something new to this part of the world.”
As to how his own message and journey intersected with hers, Smith said, “Our visions are really similar. I have always loved performing arts and seeing such a powerful part of a culture, it’s my desire to see how it can be used to bring communities together.”
That time of year: Fans flock to Sufi music extravaganza
And then, it’s something even more different when a Pakistani comes here and promotes Sufi thought through opera. Peter’s album consists of operatic music, composed by her mentor and pianist Paul Knight, sung to the English translations of Bhitai’s poetry. She also serves as the director of Noor Jehan Arts Centre in London, which was pioneered by Zafar Francis in 1998. “So, we have been promoting Pakistani values to Western audience through music since then,” said Peter.
Having been brought up in a musical environment, Peter’s childhood revolved around listening to classical music and singing choir music in churches. All the elements fit right in their places and led her to being the first Sufi opera singer.
Know no borders: Musicians aim to counter extremism through Sufi music
Discussing the response to Sufi opera, she said she was overjoyed at the positive response from the industry and the audience so far. “A lot of people came to me and said they felt like they were out of this world.” Even when she sang the title track of her album last year at London City Hall, alongside Michael Rouse, she received a tremendous response.
Peter, in her unique way, is carrying on the legacy of Benjamin Britten, a central figure in 20th century classical music and the mentor of Knight, who trained the Pakistani singer.
Have something to add in the story? Share it in the comments below.