Al-hambra – Ahmed Mukhtar & Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde
Ahmed Mukhtar and Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde release Al-hambra, a musical dialogue between oud and flamenco guitar. Releasing worldwide 22nd August, 2025, on ARC Music.
Al-hambra is a vibrant exploration of the deep musical and cultural ties between the Arab world and Andalusia over centuries. Inspired by a visit to the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Mukhtar was moved by echoes of familiar Islamic architecture, setting the stage for a cross-cultural journey through music.
The album bridges centuries of artistic exchange, tracing the influence of the Middle Eastern oud on the flamenco guitar and exploring shared melodic structures such as maqām and flamenco scales. From the rhythmic pulse of River Banks to the elegance of Baghdadi Girl, the compositions draw on a range of traditional and contemporary influences, including Latin American forms and classical Arabic modes.
The first single release ‘River Banks’ will be available digitally on 1st August, followed by ‘Basra’ on 15th August – both with accompanying music videos on ARC Music’s YouTube channel.
Highlights include the Latin-inflected Iraqi Merengue, the reflective solo improvisation A Moment of Taqasim, and a unique arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Young Prince and The Young Princess, reimagined through the lens of oud and flamenco guitar. The album closes with the title track, Al-hambra, a sonic homage to the architectural marvel that inspired the project.
Born in Baghdad, Ahmed Mukhtar is an internationally acclaimed oud virtuoso, composer and educator, dedicated to preserving and evolving Middle Eastern music. He has studied the oud and Western percussion extensively, earning a BA from the London College of Music and MA in Performance from SOAS, University of London. Mukhtar’s impact extends beyond performance—he is also the author of Arabic Music and the Oud and the Mukhtar Method Series, providing a structured approach to learning the oud, darbuka and Arabic music theory. His contributions to the field make him a leading figure in the preservation and evolution of Arabic music.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, into an Argentinian/Italian family, Ignacio started playing the guitar aged six. Inspired by his cultural surroundings, he played with his siblings as a family pastime, learning Argentinian folk songs and tango music. His passion for flamenco started, aged 9, when he discovered the works of the Spanish flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia. His desire to pursue the flamenco genre eventually took him to London in 2013, where he became musically connected with Spain and the rest of the world. In 2019, he was awarded the LATINUK AWARD for Musician of the Year, and in 2020 was assigned as a member of the Guild of Musicians & Singers.
Mukhtar and Monteverde’s partnership began in London in 2017 and developed through extensive touring in Bahrain, India, and Iraq. Their shared vision—rooted in mutual respect and deep musical curiosity—culminates in Al-hambra, a record shaped by improvisation, structured dialogue, and a balance between two expressive traditions.
Featuring percussionist Demi Garcia Sabat and produced by ARC Music, Al-hambra is a celebration of the universal language of music.
Recording Location: St. John’s Hoxton, London
Contact: amelia@arcmusic.co.uk
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