Orchestra Ethiopia

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Orchestra Ethiopia was an Ethiopian performing group formed c. 1963 by the Egyptian-born American composer and ethnomusicologist Halim El-Dabh. The group, which was founded in Addis Ababa, comprised up to 30 traditional instrumentalists, vocalists, and dancers from many different Ethiopian regions and ethnic groups (including Amhara, Tigray-Tigrinia, and Oromo), and was thus the first ensemble of its type. For a time, it was in residence at the Creative Arts Centre of Haile Selassie I University (now Addis Ababa University). Its main instruments included krar, masenqo, begena, washint, embilta, malakat, kabaro, and other percussion instruments.

Following El-Dabh's departure from Ethiopia in 1964, subsequent directors included John G. Coe, Tesfaye Lemma, and Charles Sutton.[1] The group performed frequently (including in Addis Ababa hotels), and appeared on national radio and television.

In 1969, due to the efforts of Sutton, Orchestra Ethiopia toured the United States, performing in Carnegie Hall and on The Ed Sullivan Show.

The group released one LP recording (on Tempo Records, under the name "Blue Nile Group") and was featured in a National Geographic documentary film entitled Ethiopia: The Hidden Empire. By the mid-1970s, due to the upheavals caused by the Derg revolution, the group finally disbanded.

A selection of the Orchestra's archival recordings are scheduled for release in the Ethiopiques CD series.