Unveiling the Voices of Iranian Women: ‘Veils’ – Original Songs Inspired by a Millennium of Poetry

‘Veils’ is a new song-cycle based on a selection of poems from Dick Davis’ book, ‘The Mirror of My Heart: A Thousand Years of Persian Poetry by Women’. Davis' English translations allow the Australian audience to connect with the words, while the music experiments with Persian modes, rhythms, and techniques from different time periods. Inspired by the women’s movement in Iran, the poems selected for this cycle explore the various veils that hinder women from expressing their authentic selves, whether self-imposed or imposed by society. The cycle is arranged so that these veils are gradually revealed, and the music allows the performers to contemplate and express their own interpretations of the poetry and their identity. This seminar begins with a reading of the poems and a discussion of the Persian musical elements and compositional techniques explored in each song. This is interspersed with demonstrations and performances showcasing some of the music in this set.  

Roya Safaei is an Iranian-Australian composer and pianist whose original music focuses on the intersection between Persian traditional music and Western art composition. She is currently an ANU PhD student supervised by Professor Kim Cunio, Dr Christopher Sainsbury, and Dr Bonnie McConnell investigating the ancient music of Sasanian Persia and its applications for new Australian art music. Her research was awarded second prize for best postgraduate paper at the 44th National Conference of the Musicological Society of Australia and received People’s Choice for the 2021 CASS 3-Minute Thesis competition. As a member of the Iranian Female Composers Association (IFCA), Roya is passionate about introducing people to diverse musics written by minority groups. Her compositions are contemplative in nature, exploring the ‘in-betweenness’ of being a second-generation Australian and a female composer.