The music of the all-women Firdaus Orchestra, an initiative of Expo City Dubai, is set to reach new audiences world-wide following a collaboration with The Orchard, a global music distribution and artist services company and member of Sony Music Entertainment.

The agreement – a historic moment for the Middle East's cultural scene as Firdaus becomes the first orchestra in the region to link up with a renowned music label – combines the ensemble’s rich heritage of musical compositions with The Orchard's extensive global reach and expertise in music distribution and artist development, meaning music-lovers everywhere can now stream Firdaus Orchestra’s releases on all digital platforms.

Known for its captivating performances, which include a pioneering fusion of classical, contemporary and regional music, the Firdaus Orchestra, mentored by A.R. Rahman, is a cultural cornerstone of Expo City Dubai. This latest collaboration will amplify Firdaus’ presence on the international stage, opening up new avenues for audiences around the world to experience the orchestra's exceptional talent.

Monica Woodman, Conductor, Firdaus Orchestra, said: “We are thrilled to embark on this incredible journey with The Orchard. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to make classical and contemporary Middle Eastern music more accessible to the world. As an all-women orchestra, working with world-renowned artists and performing in state-of-the-art venues, it is also an exciting opportunity to inspire the next generation of female musicians.”

Mahmoud Gamal El-Din, Client and Retail Marketing Manager – Middle East, The Orchard, said: “The Orchard is humming with excitement over our new relationship with Firdaus Orchestra. We look forward to working together to elevate classical and contemporary Middle Eastern music by creating accessibility to global audiences and grow the genre. Additionally, The Orchard takes great pride in partnering with an all-female orchestra, which aligns with our goals to support and empower women in the music industry across the world.”

The Firdaus Orchestra, developed exclusively for Expo 2020 Dubai and living on in legacy as part of Expo City Dubai, thrives on its cultural diversity, bringing together 56 musicians from 28 nationalities. It has collaborated with artists such as Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Grammy Award-winner Wouter Kellerman, Grammy-nominated sitar player Anoushka Shankar and singer-songwriter Beyoncé.

For more information, fans are encouraged to follow the orchestra’s social media channels.