A concert live from the Adrian Boult Hall in the Birmingham Conservatoire, celebrating the "People of the Book" - a chance to hear the variety and virtuosity of the holy songs of the Middle East.
7.00 Sister Marie Keyrouz from the Lebanon sings the beautiful chant of the Maronite Christian community, accompanied by four singers, zither and percussion.
7.45 The Jewish Yemenite Diwan Ensemble from Tel Aviv performs songs from the poetry collection called the "diwan". Some of the poetry comes from the long period when there was an isolated Jewish community in the Yemen; other material is from the golden age of poetry in southern Spain.
8.30 During the interval, David Melling surveys music in the spiritual culture of the closely interwoven network of racial and cultural groupings which have contributed to the development of the Middle East. This area derives its special importance from its role as the heartland of the three monotheistic religions, whose music is represented in this evening's concert.
8.50 Ali Reza Eftekhari, with the Aref Ensemble, performs songs using the spiritual poetry which is such an important part of Iranian classical music.
9.25 The Rustavi Choir returns us to the Christian sphere with music from the Orthodox tradition. both solo and choral.
(A BBC/South Bank Centre/Sounds Like Birmingham co-promotion in association with BT)