Goethe-Institut Irland to host Over Land & Sea, featuring Berlin-based singer/songwriter May the Muse, and more

The Goethe-Institut Irland is set to host two concerts, featuring music and poetry performed by brothers Shahab and Shayan Coohe, Yasmin Rahaei and Berlin-based singer/songwriter May the Muse, this November.

Over Land & Sea – An evening of music and poetry has been inspired by the works of the Persian poet Hafez and the German poet Goethe, and takes place on November 21 and 22 at Goethe-Institut Irland in Dublin.

Also featuring bespoke visuals by composer and filmmaker Néstor Romero Clemente, the two concerts will bring artists and cultures together and breathe life into the works of two celebrated poets through music.

Notably, Goethe was deeply inspired by the works of 14th century Persian poet Hafez during his lifetime, who is regarded by many Iranians as a pinnacle of Persian literature. Goethe's fascination shines through in his collection of poetry, the West-Eastern Diwan, with one book even named the Book of Hafiz.

Taking to the stage in Ireland for the first time, Berlin-based singer/songwriter May the Muse is set to perform songs inspired by poems of Goethe as well as some of her own material on both nights.

The singer with German, Danish, and Afro-American roots has been lauded for her "intense creativity" (Clash magazine) and "bewitching vocals" (The Line Of Best Fit). May the Muse, who was born in Bad Nauheim, Germany, but grew up "in a racist, sexist small town" in Belgium, relocated to Berlin in 2018.

There, she has been co-writing with German artists Chefket, Robot Koch, and Parra For Cuva. Her premiere of the powerful single 'Awake' on the COLORS YouTube channel has garnered over half a million views.

With her Matthew Kent-produced EP When Mercury Fades earning her rave reviews in 2021, the singer is currently adding the finishing touches to her debut solo album. The intricate, seasoned musical statement was inspired by nature and an ongoing quest for serenity among the bustle of day-to-day city life.

Iranian-born musician Shahab Coohe.

On November 21st, Shayan and Shahab Coohe will explore pure Persian music with an improvisation of Persian classical music. The following day, the brothers will present their own approach to Persian music with an improvisation of Persian contemporary classical music. The pair will be joined on stage by Yasmin Rahaei.

Shahab Coohe, who started his music education at the Tehran School of Music and graduated from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin in BA Violin Performance, said that he was thrilled to perform with Shayan.

"Shayan and I are very much looking forward to be on stage again to explore the art of improvisation which is highly influenced by poetry," he said. "Music is one of the most direct and pure ways of connecting people in such a spiritual and mystical way."

The pair has been performing concerts based on Persian classical music and contemporary music together for the last 20 years. Their folk band Navá, with folk/bluegrass musicians Paddy Kiernan and Niall Hughes, has recently been nominated at the RTÈ Radio 1 Folk Awards.

On the two nights, seating and standing room will be available on a first-come first-serve basis, and snacks and drinks can be purchased from the Camerino Bakery Café in the Goethe-Institut Irland.

Admission: 7pm | Show: 7:30pm
21 November: OVER LAND & SEA - An evening of music and poetry. Tickets available here.
22 November: OVER LAND & SEA - An evening of music and poetry. Tickets available here.

Watch May The Muse - Awake | A COLORS SHOW below.