For the opening performance of Le Guess Who? 2025, Palestinian singer, composer and flutist Nai Barghouti collaborated with the 23-piece Amsterdam Sinfonietta, blending Arabic music traditions with classical music, jazz and other influences. You can now relive the full performance.
Starting her musical adventure at just 14 years old with concerts in Ramallah and Cairo, Nai Barghouti grew up to be an exceptional virtuosa, performing at renowned venues and theaters around the globe. Drawing from Arab legendary singers - as well as tapping into blues, jazz, classical Indian and Brazilian music - she developed her own unique vocal technique NaiStrumentation: a layered ornamental technique for using the voice as a musical instrument.
Founded in 1988, Amsterdam Sinfonietta consists of 23 top-level musicians who play together as one. Over the years, the orchestra has developed into the premier string orchestra of the Netherlands and a world-class ensemble, continuously championing innovating its genre.
Le Guess Who? Recordings
The publication of this recording is part of Le Guess Who?’s ongoing expansion of the festival’s recordings archive, with 150 recordings from past editions now freely available online.
This archive contains audio and/or video recordings of performances by Ali Sethi & Nicolás Jaar, aja monet, ASA-CHANG & Junray, DARKSIDE, Meshell Ndegeocello, Kamilya Jubran, Alan Sparhawk, Stereolab, Tom Skinner, Selda Bağcan, clipping., Aldous Harding, Deerhunter, Art Ensemble of Chicago, The Microphones, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Lightning Bolt, Neneh Cherry, Arooj Aftab, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, and many more.
Captured at TivoliVredenburg's Grote Zaal on Thursday, 6 November 2025.
Jonathan Morton - direction & violin
Nai Barghouti - vocals & flute
Khalil Khoury - qanûn
Tony Roe - piano
Diego Alva - bass guitar
Ruven Ruppik - percussion
Audio recording by Marc Broer
& Ruben Kieftenbelt; mix by Marc Broer
Photography by Juri Hiensch
