Maryam Rahmani, David Moran, and Sebastian Collen come together in this episode of Live at Phoenix to perform "Gezelle", a unique collaboration that bridges Persian classical music, experimental composition, and contemporary Western performance. Rooted in Maryam’s Iranian heritage and mastery of the Santur, the trio explores rich sonic landscapes shaped by David’s virtuosic cello performance and Seb’s conceptual compositions under the precise direction of Olivia Costa.

Maryam Rahmani is an Iranian-born santur player now based in Adelaide. Her music draws deeply from Persian classical traditions and poetry, enriched by her studies in traditional instruments and rhythmic structures. Since moving to Australia, Maryam has expanded her practice through cross-genre collaborations, performing with ensembles such as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and an Adelaide Baroque ensemble. Being part of residencies such as The Australian Art Orchestra Creative Music Intensive, and most recently, “Soundweaving” in Banff, have significantly influenced her approach—reshaping her connection to traditional roots and opening new pathways for collaboration.

Olivia Costa is a writer and director interested in work that is poetic and affecting, often straddling the fine line between absurdism and reality, intimacy and distance.

Director: Olivia Costa
Live at Phoenix Producers: Soie An and Josh Milch
Cinematographer: Kate Cornish
Camera Operators: Trudi Gultom and Carina Burke
Editor: Ange Scott
Colourist: Alina Bermingham
Lighting Design: Chloe on Lights
Recording Engineer: Michael Wickens
Mix Engineer: Nathan Moas
Supervising Producer: Angus Hunt
Executive Producer: Judith Neilson AM