Emilie Pons

Conductor Mohammed Othman Sidiq is on a quest to keep classical music alive in Jordan. Sidiq is the longtime conductor of the country’s national orchestra called JOrchestra. But most of the orchestra’s players haven’t been working largely due to the coronavirus pandemic, and he’s deeply concerned about the future. COVID-19 has been hard for artists and musicians around the world as clubs, concert venues and opera houses shut down.

Conductor Mohammed Othman Sidiq is on a quest to keep classical music alive in Jordan. Sidiq is the longtime conductor of the country’s national orchestra called JOrchestra. But most of the orchestra’s players haven’t been working largely due to the coronavirus pandemic, and he’s deeply concerned about the future. COVID-19 has been hard for artists and musicians around the world as clubs, concert venues and opera houses shut down.

Editor’s note: Tcha Limberger, the featured musician in "I Silenti," uses the word “Gypsy” to refer to his community — some find that term offensive and recommend “Roma” or “Romani” instead. is deeply connected to the subject matter of “I Silenti,” a performance piece that features his Romani heritage.