The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is teaming up with a pair of Montreal based artists to present the world premiere of “Dreams of Bollywood” Saturday night at Jack Singer Hall. The show--created in collaboration with Montreal conductor Daniel Black and choreographer Rameez Karim--blends orchestral sounds, vocals and expressive movement to create a wall of Bollywood-infused energy that will electrify audiences. “We’re using the show as a portal and trying to open the door for people to discover and see something new,” said Karim, whose Montreal-based Veils of Bollywood launched a second branch in Calgary in 2025, in a media release. “It’s important to bring these kinds of stories and these kinds of voices into programming and weave it into this mosaic and cultural fabric of Canada.” Vocalists Vidita Kanniks and Reeshabh Purohit, and tabla player Shawn Mativetsky will join the orchestra to present a blend of newly commissioned music alongside a few Bollywood staples such as A.R. Rahman, Pritam, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and more. Conductor Daniel Black said the experience has highlighted the connection between western orchestra music and Indian music. “The process of putting this show together has reaffirmed how much common ground there is between Western classical music and the music of India,” Black said. “Our training is very different and our way of thinking about music is very different and yet we can collaborate and create together. It really highlights the power of music to transcend barriers and divisions.” CPO’s Director of Artistic and Education Andrea Davison said the blend of musical cultures expands the organization’s musical palette and helps expose it to new ears. “The Calgary Phil is always keeping an open eye and ear for programming ideas that open the orchestral palette to new sounds and audiences,” Davison said. “It’s part of our commitment to connecting with communities across Calgary to support projects like Dreams of Bollywood. We are thrilled that the full orchestra premiere is taking place here in Calgary.” For more about the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, go here.
