Samir Bendimered

Versatile artist, known for his talents as a composer, conductor, and pianist. He embarked on his musical journey at an early age, starting with the piano at 4 and later adding the guitar at 10. After receiving training in Arabo-Andalusian music in Oran and Tlemcen, Bendimered furthered his studies in piano, harmony, and counterpoint in Belgium.

Bendimered's impressive repertoire includes a wide range of compositions, such as operas like Mathilde, L’aile du Papillon, La Marche des Anges, Safina, West Side East Side Story, and Kompost. He has also created chamber music pieces, a choral and orchestral drôlatorio, and captivating arrangements of Oriental texts and melodies. His diverse program has been recorded and performed in various countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Morocco.

Passionate about choral direction, Bendimered has honed his skills under the guidance of renowned figures such as Pierre Cao and Denis Meunier. He has also delved into orchestral conducting, studying with Pierre Boulez and Peter Eotvôs. In addition to his own creations, Bendimered has conducted notable works including Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, Mozart's "Requiem" and "La Messe de Couronnement," Fauré's Requiem, Bach's Mass in B Minor, Handel's Messiah, Brahms' Deutches Requiem, Arvo Pärt's Berliner Messe, as well as Henry Purcell's operas "Dido & Aeneas" and "King Arthur."

Despite his diverse musical pursuits, Bendimered remains dedicated to his love for the piano and harpsichord. He often takes on the role of performing keyboard parts in the operas or arrangements he produces. Collaboration with musicians from different genres and backgrounds is another aspect he cherishes, whether it's with the ensemble "Iktar" or the group "Qantra," as well as Sawt Trio.

In 2012, Bendimered founded the musical ensemble "Sawt," where he composes and arranges works from the North African and Oriental repertoire. The ensemble accompanied singer Naziha Meftah on a tour spanning Belgium, Morocco, Algeria, and France in 2015. Bendimered has also performed concerts with Yassir Bousselam in Casablanca and Brussels in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

In February 2022, he served as the pianist repetitor for the world premiere of Bushra El Turc's "Woman at Point Zero," which was premiered in several locations including Aix-En-Provence, Antwerpen, Brugge, Gent, Luxembourg, and the Royal Opera House in London.