Later this month, the dome-shaped ceiling of the restored, 574-seater Royal Opera House will reverberate with music from a four-stringed Chinese lute called pipa, the Afghan rubab, qanun (known to be part of Middle Eastern music since the 10th century), saxophone and tabla. Playing the instruments, which represent the Eastern and Western ends of the historical Silk Route, will be six artistes from China, Afghanistan, Syria and Italy. They’ve been brought together by the Aga Khan Music Initiative (AKMI) for a concert titled, New Music from the Ends of the Silk Route, presented in association with Asia Society India Centre. (...) The ensemble features artistes who have worked with AKMI for over 15 years not only as performers, but also as pioneering composers, arrangers, improvisers and teachers.