NOWRUZ: LIGHT ALWAYS PREVAILS

Honoring the Enduring Voices of Iranians

Parissa

The Grande Dame of Iranian Music

Golda Zahra

Opera Star

The Iranshahr Orchestra

Music Director: Maestro Shahab Paranj

March 8, 2026 - 6pm

Royce Hall, UCLA

In recognition of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, NOWRUZ: Light Always Prevails is a powerful concert honoring the enduring voices, resilience, and cultural legacy of Iranians through music.

This special evening features a rare live appearance by Parissa, the Grande Dame of Iranian music. Since 1979, Parissa’s performances have been banned in Iran, making each of her appearances abroad especially meaningful. Her last concert took place in 2019 on Farhang Foundation’s stage, and her return now marks an exceptional and deeply significant moment offering audiences another very rare opportunity to experience the mastery, emotional depth, and timeless artistry of a living legend in person.

The concert also marks an important milestone with opera star Golda Zahra, who will make her Persian-language debut on Farhang’s stage. Having conquered some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses and concert halls, Zahra brings her extraordinary voice to a repertoire that bridges global excellence with Iranian cultural expression.

Joining them is the Iranshahr Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Shahab Paranj, whose dynamic and nuanced orchestral interpretations unite tradition with contemporary sensibilities, providing a powerful musical foundation for this evening of recognition and reflection.

Farhang Foundation is proud to once again partner with the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and the Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music at UCLA in presenting this annual Nowruz tradition, an evening of recognition, reflection, and artistic integrity through the universal language of music.

Ticket sales coming soon.

About Iranshahr Orchestra

The Iranshahr Orchestra, the first Iranian orchestra established outside of Iran, is composed of some of the most gifted and highly accomplished musicians in Los Angeles, united by a shared commitment to championing composers, performers, and educators. With a primary mission to promote and preserve Iranian music, the orchestra annually commissions, performs, and premieres works by Iranian composers, nurturing a rich and ever-evolving musical legacy.

Distinguished by its cultural diversity, The Iranshahr Orchestra transcends the conventional Western classical format, integrating instruments from Iran and neighboring regions while establishing a unique aesthetic and organizational structure rooted beyond European traditions.

Since 2024, the orchestra has been the official resident ensemble of the Center for Iranian Music at UCLA, further solidifying its role as a leading force in the promotion of Iranian musical heritage.

Among its notable initiatives, Avāz-e Jān—an ongoing collaboration with esteemed Iranian musicians—stands as a testament to its commitment to innovation. The orchestra has also commissioned works from distinguished composers such as Richard Danielpour, Reza Vali, and Ian Krouse, further enriching its artistic repertoire.

In June 2024, The Iranshahr Orchestra released its debut album under the prestigious Naxos label. This landmark recording, nominated for Best Contemporary Classical Music at the International Classical Music Awards, features works by Richard Danielpour and showcases Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann, conducted by Shahab Paranj.