Mosul orchestra performs in restored Al Rabea Theatre

Concert by Watar orchestral ensemble celebrated city and residents rebuilding their lives after ISIS occupation

The Watar Youth Orchestra from Nineveh performed at Mosul's Al Rabea Theatre on Thursday to celebrate the restoration of the venue destroyed during the city's occupation by ISIS.

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  Orchestra conductor Mohammed Mahmoud leads the Watar orchestral ensemble, playing for the first time at the restored Al Rabea Theatre in Iraq's northern city of Mosul on April 8, 2021. AFP

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  A packed audience watches the inaugural performance at the restored Al Rabea Theatre in Mosul, Iraq. Reuters

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  The Watar orchestra previously played for Pope Francis on March 7 in the ruins of Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception during the papal visit. Reuters

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  Conductor Mohammed Mahmoud plays the violin while leading the Watar orchestral ensemble, which was formed only five months earlier. AFP

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  Conductor Mohammed Mahmoud leads the Watar orchestral ensemble at the Al Rabea Theatre in Mosul, which was destroyed during the war against ISIS. AFP

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  Conductor Mohammed Mahmoud leads the Watar orchestral ensemble at Mosul's Al Rabea Theatre. AFP

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  A violinist performs as part of the Watar orchestral ensemble. AFP

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  Images of famous Iraqi cultural and art personalities are shown on a screen during the concert by the Watar orchestra. EPA

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  Some parts of the theatre are charred and a hole in its roof bears witness to damage suffered during Mosul's occupation by ISIS and the battle to retake the city. AFP

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  The concert drew people from all walks of life. Reuters

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  Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Youhanna Boutros Moshe, fourth from left, with other Christian clergymen and a Catholic nun at the performance by the Watar orchestral ensemble. AFP

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  Iraqis attend a concert by the Watar orchestral ensemble at the Rabea Theatre in Mosul on April 8, 2021. EPA

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  The Watar orchestra performed to about 1,000 people in the first show at the theatre in 18 years. EPA

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  Iraqi artistic director Mohammed Saleh, left, and conductor Mohammed Mahmoud greet the public after the concert. EPA

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  Iraqis give a standing ovation to the Watar orchestral ensemble after the concert at Mosul's Al Rabea Theatre on April 8, 2021. EPA

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  Musicians of the Watar orchestra take a selfie at the concert. EPA

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  An concert attendee next to a sign that says, in English and Arabic, 'Welcome to Mosul', outside the Al Rabea Theatre. AFP

The performance, which was streamed live on Facebook, was accompanied by old videos of the city and its residents, celebrating its history and commemorating those who lost their lives during the extremist group's brutal rule from 2014 to 2017.

The orchestra was put together by a local radio station and comprises beginners and musicians who have been playing for years.

One of the most notable moments of the concert was when the youngest member of the orchestra performed Lux Aeterna and the theme to the popular film, Requiem for A Dream, composed by Clint Mansell, on the piano to a rapt audience.

The creation of the orchestra is part of a revival and cultural reawakening in Iraq's second city after ISIS was driven out in July 2017.

Pictures on social media showed a full theatre for the concert, with the audience of government officials, activists and ordinary citizens giving the orchestra a standing ovation after an emotional performance.