Just days prior to conducting the United Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert featuring soprano Fatma Said at the new Grand … More
Category: Music
‘Signs are only signs when we choose to believe in them’: Nouran AbuTaleb on new release Betshoof Alamat
Egyptian singer Nouran AbuTaleb released Betshoof Alamat (You See Signs) on Friday. This is the first song from an album … More
Basem Darwisch: Finding oneself
When speaking of cultural fusion, composer, oud player, and music manager Basem Darwisch is among the first names that comes … More
A lot to choose from: On the multitude of Egypt’s art and culture festivals
The second half of 2022 brings an increased presence of artistic activities to many Egyptian cities. The current months are … More
Beyond Chopin
Shahd Magdy, Andrew Milad, Mahmoud El-Batran and Mostafa Hassan are the names of the young Egyptian pianists who won the … More
Sacred sounds: On Mozart’s Requiem in Cairo
Mozart’s Requiem was performed in Cairo on two consecutive evenings, 12 and 13 May. Among the core values of music … More
A musical koshari
Have performers from different nationalities cook traditional Egyptian songs, but spice it all up with an Egyptian darbouka and an … More
Tarek Raouf Ensemble: A brand new Egyptian band bids on modern jazz
With a four-horn jazz combo and an Indian tabla, the new band brings a new interesting colour to the Egyptian … More
Rowan Maher explores tunes of Egyptian cinema through its songs
Accompanied by seven musicians, Maher will present a series of songs from the known Egyptian films of the 2000s A … More
Egyptian saxophonist Nour Ashour longs for ‘wanas’ in his first track composed during quarantine
Titled ‘Wanas’, the track is the first in a series of compositions coming from Ashour’s home studio in King Mariout … More
Revisiting silence and emotional distortions in multi-award-winning Sound of Metal
A showcase of the performers’ abilities and directed by Darius Marder, film Sound of Metal looks into the tragedy of … More
Oud, guitar and percussion: Ali Omar El-Farouk’s trio readies for their first Cairo concert
In their upcoming concert, the newly formed trio will feature Ali Omar El-Farouk (oud, guitar, bağlama), Hany Bedair (cajón and … More
A decade later: On Egypt’s music scene 2011-2020
It is the dawn of 2011, the year of the revolution… And many new songs are coming out of the … More
All strings attached: A heartwarming debut of Egypt’s Isis String Orchestra for amateur musicians
The orchestra gave two consecutive concerts on Thursday 26 November, at the All Saints’ Cathedral in Zamalek Amateur music ensembles … More
Egyptian singer Zahra Ramy releases first original ‘I Gave Up’
The 30 October 2020 concert will mark the official launch of Ramy’s band Mixer Egyptian radio presenter, singer and actress … More
Bringing back the ‘music monologue’ with a twist: Bahgaga band to celebrate 5th anniversary with concert
Founded by an Egyptian composer Ayman Helmy in 2015, Bahgaga fuses songs with light acting, presenting the repertoire in a … More
After the Sun Goes Down: Massar Egbari’s guitarist Mahmoud Siam releases new track
The new track comes after many nights spent in the studio during curfew Mahmoud Siam, the guitarist of Egypt’s well-known … More
Egypt’s independent music scene in dire straits as cultural shutdown continues
With the fourth month with no income, Egypt’s independent musicians, DJ’s, technicians, sound engineers and thousand of others in the … More
INTERVIEW: Egypt’s culture minister Ines Abdel-Dayem on the arts scene, plans in the face of Covid-19
With the difficult financial situation faced by artists being an urgent topic, Abdel-Dayem discusses solutions and redraws the map of … More
Remembering Demis Roussos: Alexandria-born Greek singer who engraved himself in the hearts of Egyptian listeners
Renowned internationally and particularly beloved by Egyptian listeners, the master of musical nostalgia Demis Roussos was born on 15 June … More
Obituary: David Hales, Egypt-based British pianist, vocal coach and Cairo’s hidden pillar
British pianist, vocal coach and repetiteur David Llewellyn Hales died on 31 May 2020 in Cairo News of David Hales … More
While international orchestras gradually resume activities, the Cairo Symphony’s future remains vague
The musicians of Egypt’s oldest national orchestra are finding it hard to keep their spirits high and make ends meet … More
Zorba online: Unique history of one of the Cairo Opera Ballet Company’s most triumphant works
The staging of Zorba will be made available by the Ministry of Culture on its YouTube channel, starting 7 June … More
Review: Royal Ballet’s Anastasia, delightful reflections at home
Kenneth MacMillan’s Anastasia was made available for two weeks starting 15 May on the Royal Opera’s YouTube channel They say … More
Massar Egbari’s keyboardist Ayman Massoud starts electronic music project
While continuing to perform with the well known band Massar Egbari, a new endeavour might take Massoud to many fascinating … More
Pianos for Peace: Syrian pianist, composer Malek Jandali
Jandali’s upcoming album, The Jasmine Tree – yet another ode to the rich history and beauty of Syrian culture – … More
Apropos of music: Meditation on a personal love for Chopin
The Poet of the Piano, Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, is part of the international musical consciousness; he is timeless with … More
Women of Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra: A vibrant plethora of musicians, talents, personalities
Al Nour Wal Amal Chamber Orchestra for the blind and visually impaired woman musicians has just returned from their 31st … More
‘It is not easy but with perseverance, everything is possible’: Egyptian tenor Ragaa Eldin
Most recently, the young Egyptian tenor Ragaa Eldin won the Association of Opera and Operetta Enthusiasts award during the International … More
The East Anglia maqamat: When Egyptian musicians meet UK’s young talents
Between 12 and 17 February, the musicians from the European Egyptian Contemporary Music Society held workshops for the talents enrolled … More
Remembering Ali Osman: Composer, academic and conductor of Egypt’s Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra
Egypt’s music scene lost Ali Osman, Sudanese composer, conductor, educator and a man whose work with Al Nour Wal Amal, … More
Music for the entire community: Inclusion as a practice from Britten’s UK home
The Snape Maltings’ Learning and Inclusion department uses music to embrace community at large – children, differently-abled, elderly and prison … More
When two choirs perform together: Egypt and Jordan musical connection
Egypt’s Cairo Celebration Choir and Jordan’s Dozan Wa Awtar performed together, in Cairo on 3 February and in Alexandria on … More
Cairo Choral Society joins Egypt Christmas season with Schubert’s Mass in G
In their concerts on 7 and 8 December, the Cairo Choir Society conducted by John Baboukis, interweaved Schubert’s Mass in … More
Radames of Orleans: Egypt’s tenor Georges Wanis talks about Aida, international career, passions
Georges Wanis will sing opera Aida in Orleans in March. This is one of the many international commitments of the … More
Wholesome brass: El-Nafikha band introduces a new recipe to Egypt’s music fans
In a short time, a unique flavour of El Nafikha brass quintet has generated interest, appreciation of every generation of … More
Celebrating summer with festivals: Egypt and Arab region join the seasonal gleam
From Tunisia and Algeria to Egypt, Lebanon and Palestine… Summer calls for festivals to infuse the regional stages with events … More
Birds of Upper Egypt: Children choir sings in Cairo
On 20 June, Children Choir operating under the Association of Upper Egypt for Education and Development performed at Talaat Harb … More
Magic of music: Renowned Swiss maestro on his career and art of conducting
The Swiss, Germany-based internationally renowned conductor Christoph-Mathias Mueller talks about his profession, an unconditional passion for music, art of conducting … More
INTERVIEW: Perfectionism – introducing Egypt’s most recent opera star
When Fatma Said was announced the winner of eighth Veronica Dunne International Opera Competition in Dublin, Ireland, the news spread … More
Confronting fear: how year 2015 brought Egypt’s audiences closer to classical music
Belief ‘you are not expected to like everything,’ seemed to be at the heart of approach to the audiences in … More
Against all odds: Stories of the visually impaired women from Egypt’s Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra
Girls and women from Egypt’s unique Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra talk about their lives, joys and challenges embedded in … More
‘It’s a story of hope’: Egypt’s filmmaker on his rockumentary about Les Petits Chats
Young director Sherif Nakhla revives Egypt’s golden years through the rockumetary on the well-known band of the time, Les Petits … More
INTERVIEW: Ragaa Eldin: An Egyptian tenor finding his voice in Europe
A talk with the young tenor Ragaa Eldin about his path to success, international recognition, and the many shunned operatic talents … More
Not so spectacular: Cairo Opera’s Moulin Rouge
Performed at the main hall of the Cairo Opera House last week, the Egyptian take on iconic Moulin Rouge musical … More
Cats, children and strings: Awtar Quartet visits Cairo’s poor neighborhood
Awtar Quartet brought music and storytelling to Artellewa arts centre and Tawasol School in Stabl Antar, both located at the … More
‘No one really knows Cairo – it’s too big’: Mapping Ramadan 2015 music scene
This year Ramadan comes with an abundance of music filling many Cairo stages, providing a lively refreshment to the hot … More
On Cairo Opera Company’s brave foray with Verdi’s Il Trovatore
Staged earlier this month, Verdi’s Il Trovatore was a much needed refreshment for Egypt’s audiences and an opportunity to bring … More
INTERVIEW: Elena Dzamashvili: If I’m born ten times, each time I’ll be a pianist
A visit to a Chopin’s disciple, Georgian pianist Elena Dzamashvili, in her little haven in Cairo The room is small … More
Bluebirds’ serenade: On singing out of tune
The easiest natural thing to some, a completely impossible feat to others, the ability to sing in tune requires musical … More
All you need to know about Chopin Piano Competition Egypt
Underscoring Egypt’s contribution to the Chopin piano tradition, the recently held competition is an opportunity to review skills of the … More
INTERVIEW — Marcel Khalife: A musician with a rebel’s soul
Prior to his first concerts in Egypt since 2008, renowned Lebanese musician Marcel Khalife talks with Ahram Online about his … More
Abiding with the light: Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project in Cairo
On Wednesday 24 September Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project fused music with spirituality in a unique performance at … More
Vibe Studio: Where underground music and a production city dream meet
Ahmed Mohamed Sakran, founder of Vibe studio, the latest hub of underground music tells Ahram Online about the young and … More
‘Culture will not come from a vacuum’: Fathy Salama
Prior to his upcoming concert with Ghalia Benali, Ahram Online talks to Fathy Salama about his plans and explores his … More
Homo Sonantis: on the Cairo Opera new audiences’ behavioral problems
The below par behavior of the New Audience flocking to the Cairo Opera has become a serious issue which can … More
Drama Music Fest presents live orchestral rendition of Egyptian film soundtracks
Ahmed Atef, the main dynamo behind this unprecedented musical event in Egypt, explains the aim of the festival scheduled for … More
Mirette Hanna: An inspiring soirée with a passionate young pianist
Mirette Hanna, winner of the Absolute First Prize at the Roma International Piano Competition, speaks of her unraveling journey as … More
Conductors face legal action over protests against Brotherhood influence
Nayer Nagui and Hisham Gabr are being investigated for causing the Cairo Opera House financial losses, after leading strikes in … More
Quatuor Voce: French string quartet visits Cairo
As part of its regular activities dedicated to presenting different music genres to its audience, on Wednesday 30 October, the … More
Amnesty demands disclosure of imprisoned Pussy Riot member’s location
Amnesty International calls on Russia to disclose whereabouts of imprisoned Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, member of punk band Pussy Riot. Published in … More
Cairo Opera House to celebrate Giuseppe Verdi
Opera House to commemorate Verdi’s bicentennial anniversary with a variety of events during 2013-14 season. Published in Ahram Online During … More
Long standing ovations for Al-Nour Wal Amal in Germany
As part of their third visit to Germany, Al-Nour Wal Amal Chamber Orchestra — consisting of blind women musicians — … More
Cairo Opera House: 25 years of Egypt’s cultural history
As the Cairo Opera House celebrates its Silver Jubilee on 10 October, Ahram Online traces the quarter-of-a-century history of this … More
Obituary: The memorable life of Ratiba El-Hefny
Ratiba El-Hefny, a woman who played many roles within the country’s cultural scene, remained active until the last months of … More
Manal Mohei Eldin: The harpist
Winner of State Incentive Award for Arts 2013, Manal Mohei Eldin brings the harp to a wide audience and she … More
Talents Development Centre: Blooming against all odds
The Talents Development Centre at Cairo’s Opera House continues to provide music and ballet education for children and young people … More
Ines Abdel-Dayem returns to the Cairo Opera more dynamic than ever
In May, Ines Abdel-Dayem was fired from the Cairo Opera’s chair; in July she was offered ministerial post which she … More
Egypt’s Cairo Opera House: What’s next?
Following protests and on-stage strikes by the Cairo Opera House artists, many of opera companies returned back to work. Ahram … More
The Nutcracker and the Brotherhood King
The Egyptian ballet faces renewed challenges in the post-revolution era As recent government directives threaten to Islamize Egypt’s arts scene, … More
Opera and Co. – on the revolution within the Opera House
Published in Al Ahram Weekly. On 1 June, the weekly concert of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra included the internationally renowned … More
Cairo Opera House cancels concert as protests continue against culture minister
Cairo Opera House strike continues as artists protest on stage against newly-appointed Egyptian culture minister and his decisions, despite scheduled … More
The show will not go on: Cairo Opera House on strike
After the new culture minister fires the head of the opera house, artists refused to perform Aida on Tuesday, instead … More
New culture minister fires head of Cairo Opera House
A number of senior arts officials have been fired by the new minister, who took office earlier in May. Published … More
Two in one: Musical performances reveal talents of the young
Between 12 and 14 May, the American University in Cairo performed one-act opera The Telephone and highlights from Les Miserables … More
7-year-old Egyptian/Hungarian violinist, Amira captivates audiences
After a long standing ovation, 7-year-old Amira Abouzahra asks innocently if that meant the audience wanted to leave; the half … More
Powerful closing: Odissi dance ends ‘India by the Nile’ festival
Performances of Indian classical dance by a renowned ensemble marked the closing of the brilliantly successful ‘India by the Nile’ … More
Heart and soul: Shubha Mudgal brings marvels of India to Cairo
Shubha Mudgal, an iconic musician from India performed on Tuesday 23 April in Cairo and on 25 April in Alexandria. … More
Creative realisations: Dancing to the music of Egyptian composers
Between 26 April and 3 May, the Cairo Opera Ballet Company performs two works to the music of Egyptian composers: … More
Nagada Style: Bollywood at the Cairo Opera House
Bollywood Fusion, part of India by the Nile festival, was a collaboration between artists from Egypt and India. The show … More
Boghdady and the Wolf: Cairo Symphony Orchestra to perform for children
On Saturday 20 April, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Magdy Boghdady will perform a special concert tailored for children. … More
The life and times of an Arab soprano: Ratiba El-Hefny and The Merry Widow
‘The Merry Widow’ operetta was performed at the Cairo Opera House’s stage last month. Ratiba El-Hefny recalls when she was … More
Jazz4kids brings music elements to the youngest audience
The Cairo Jazz Festival gives sample of music education with Jazz4kids workshop held at Darb 1718. Published in Ahram Online … More
Gems of Armenia: Cairo’s Arax Choir commemorates Aram Khachaturian
Armenian Community’s Arax Choir conducted by Mihran Ghazelian commemorated the 110th anniversary of composer Aram Khachaturian last Saturday. Published in … More
Our line-up is very big this year: Director of Cairo Jazz Festival
On the eve of the fifth Cairo Jazz Festival (21-23 March), Ahram Online talks to its founder and director Amro … More
Ibn Battuta show captures richness of Arab cultures
The Bahrain National Theatre staged Ibn Battuta, Prince of Arab Travelers, a musical performance by artists from around the world, … More
A rendezvous with Chopin: Andrei Gavrilov performs in Cairo
On 10 February the historical Manasterly Palace in Cairo hosted Andrei Gavrilov, the world-renowned Russian pianist, who performed Chopin and … More
Polish connection: Lutosławski performed in Cairo
Polish musicians performed a selection of composer/conductor Witold Lutosławski’s works at the Cairo Opera House on Wednesday 6 February. Published … More
Ati Metwaly 