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Ibn Battuta: The Traveller of Time

with Jordi Savall

Jordi Savall holding a treble viol, directing with his bow

Journey into the unknown with musical pioneer Jordi Savall, his Hespèrion XXI ensemble and guests, in a concert inspired by the 14th-century Islamic scholar Ibn Battuta.

For Ibn Battuta: The Traveller of Time, Savall assembles musicians from Europe and the Middle East, India, China and North Africa – alongside his own remarkable Hespèrion XXI early music ensemble – for a journey into the unknown with a man considered by many to be the greatest explorer in history: Ibn Battuta.

Born into a family of Islamic scholars in north Africa in the 14th century, Ibn Battuta travelled to the extremes of the world as it was then known, covering an estimated 120,000km from Europe to China, Russia to Sri Lanka. His writings provide fascinating glimpses into medieval life right across the globe. Savall’s evening-long excursion is an immense literary, historical, geographical and musical fresco that contrasts medieval European music with sounds from across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The end time for this concert will be added here closer to the performance date

Produced by the Barbican

Narrated in English with surtitles

Patrons get first access to Priority Booking with no booking fees added.

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No booking fees. 

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Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices for this performance.

2 tickets max per booking. Subject to availability.

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£15

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Subject to availability.

Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online. 

Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.

Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected. 

Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket. 

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20% discount for groups of 10+. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.

Subject to availability.

*Excludes £4 booking fee
‘The instruments shared a quality of sound that conjured up images of shimmering desert vistas, hot dusty roads, lush, tropical forests, and sunlight scintillating on blue seas‘
Edinburgh Music Review

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