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The American musical group Pink Martini brought together songs from around the world during a concert at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theater.
Vocalist Storm Large opened the evening by telling the audience in Turkish, "I love you, Istanbul," before the group performed one of its best-known songs, "Amado Mio."
The musicians thanked listeners for the warm welcome they receive each year, adding that they always enjoy returning to Istanbul.
During the concert, the group also shared the story behind "La Soledad," a song dating back to Pink Martini's early years.
Vocalist Ari Shapiro explained that their late friend Iyad Qasem had reinterpreted the song in Arabic. Although it initially sounds like a lament for a lost love, the Arabic version focuses on a refugee longing for a homeland they may never see again.
The reinterpretation was titled "Finnisma Di," inspired by a saying frequently repeated by Qasem's Palestinian-Jordanian refugee parents: "No wind feels as beautiful as the wind of one's homeland."
Pink Martini performed songs in several languages, including "Sympathique," "Donde Estas Yolanda?," "Splendor in the Grass," "Una Notte a Napoli," "Saeng Gak," "Zundoko Bushi" and "Bella Ciao."
The group also reached out to the Turkish audience with performances of "Askim Bahardi" and "Katibim" before wrapping up the main set with "Brasil."
Following several minutes of applause, the musicians returned to the stage to perform "Pata Pata" as an encore.
Founded by Thomas Lauderdale in Portland, Oregon, in 1994, Pink Martini is known for bringing together jazz, classical, Latin and world music.
The group has recorded songs in more than 20 languages and released albums including "Sympathique," "Hang on Little Tomato," "Hey Eugene!," "Splendor in the Grass," "Get Happy," "Dream a Little Dream" and "Je Dis Oui."
Its music has also been featured in television productions including "La Casa de Papel" and "Desperate Housewives."
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