At Tehran symphony, music lovers seek escape from reality

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Aficionados of Western classical music have carved out a niche for themselves in Iran, where cultural expression remains tightly controlled by strict rules imposed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Perhaps surprisingly, musicians in their 20s and 30s are performing for overwhelmingly young audiences. For devotees, an evening at Tehran’s symphony offers a brief respite from heightened tensions with the U.S. and punishing economic sanctions.
The space for artistic