When the Egyptian diva of Arabic song made her first appearance on the same stage in front of the Moroccan public about 56 years ago (on March 12, 1968), her concert had aroused unparalleled enthusiasm. At Mawazine 2024, her return to the stage was just as memorable, if not even more striking.
This enthusiasm can only be explained by the attachment to an exceptional artist, deeply rooted in her art, whose classical musical legacy continues to captivate fans of all generations, even after her death 49 years ago (February 3, 1975).
“Kawkab Al Sharq” or simply “al-Sit” as many affectionately call her, was greeted by a huge crowd, driven by a burning passion to embrace her art of eternal song.
Elegant and resplendent, she appeared wearing a white dress decorated with golden lines to warm applause and passionate cheers that did not stop until the first notes of the magnificent song “Enta Omri”, a masterpiece of the great lady of Arabic song in 1964, composed by maestro Mohammed Abdel Wahab, sounded, making souls shiver.
The atmosphere combined both pleasure and nostalgia, with the spectators repeating with dazzling mastery the words of this timeless artistic work, as if the legendary Oum Kalthoum were alive and her concert were very real!
In a sumptuous black dress accented with elegant pink accents, “al-Sit” captivated the Mawazine audience during her second appearance, evoking such euphoria that tears of happiness flowed from the eyes of many spectators during her masterful rendition of “Sirt al Hob”, a 1964 hit composed by the legendary Baligh Hamdi, which remains as famous today in the Arab world as it is across the globe.
For an hour and a half of pure enchantment, the legendary artist treated the audience to a special selection of her timeless masterpieces, captivating the audience with varied renditions of her famous songs like “Alf Leyla wa Leyla”, “Al Atlal” and “Lessa Faker”.
Each performance was marked by the artistic grandeur and nobility that have always characterized this icon, thus perpetuating his preeminent status in the school of authentic art.
The various testimonies collected by MAP from the audience present unanimously highlighted the singularity of Oum Kalthoum’s virtual concert, praising its innovative character and its ability to renew the link between pioneers and lovers of classical Arabic music.
For Kaoutar, it was unthinkable to miss this exceptional concert of a great artist of the golden age, whose immortal songs remind her of her childhood and youth. “I am a great admirer of all of Oum Kalthoum’s songs, especially ‘Baed Annak’, ‘Sirt al Hob’ and ‘Fat El Mead’,” she added.
As for Kaltoum, she affirmed in a similar statement that the legendary lady of Arabic song is an exceptional artist throughout history, highlighting her love for all of Oum Kalthoum’s musical works, especially her magnificent songs “Aghadan Alqak” and “El Hob Kollo”.
For his part, Said was delighted with the programming of the “Kawkab Al Sharq” concert as part of this year’s Mawazine festival at the Mohammed V National Theater, “a space full of memories where world celebrities have given concerts and memorable evenings, like the legendary Oum Kalthoum.”
Placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the 19th edition of the Mawazine festival (June 21-29), organized at the initiative of the Maroc Cultures association, offers this year a rich program with the honor of great stars of Moroccan, African, oriental and western song.
2024-09-04 19:45:28