The Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music

The Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music was a Syrian orchestra dedicated to performing classical Arabic music, as well as experimental work based on traditional music from the Middle East.

Role in Gorillaz
The Orchestra collaborated with Gorillaz on the track White Flag from the album Plastic Beach and joined Gorillaz on the Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour. They also worked on the unreleased tracks Crashing Down and Whirlwind.

Musical Career
The orchestra played regular concerts in the Damascus Opera House since its opening in 2004. They became known internationally for collaborating with British virtual band Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album. Due to the ongoing Syrian civil war, most of its members, like its principal conductor and oud virtuoso Issam Rafea, have left Syria for exile in Europe, the US or other countries.

Trivia

 * An alternative version of the track Crashing Down, featuring The Syrian National Orchestra, was featured over the credits of the documentary The White Helmets. The original vocals were missing, instead performed by Syrian singer Nizar Al Issa.