Shubha Mudgal, an iconic musician from India performed on Tuesday 23 April in Cairo and on 25 April in Alexandria. … More
Category: Music
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
Magic Mozart: The Magic Flute at the Cairo Opera House
Between 10 and 14 January, the Cairo Opera Company, the Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui and the Cairo … More
Enana: Dancing along the success path
Enana Dance Theatre that performed in Manama on 28 December is now working on choreography for Ibn Battuta, a show … More
When the music’s over: Ammar Al-Sherei
On Friday 7 December, Ammar Al-Sherei, a man of great musical knowledge and skill, passed away at the age of … More
Qatar Philharmonic announces new music director for 2013/14
Monday 10 December, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra announces Han-Na Chang as Music Director for 2013-2014 season. Published in Ahram Online … More
Egyptian violinist and composer captivates hearts of audiences in Muscat
Yasser Abdel-Rahman performs alongside Budapest Symphony Orchestra at Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman; show will travel to Budapest in … More
Egyptian Sinfonietta: a new ambition of the Egyptian Philharmonic Society
On Sunday 9 December the Egyptian Sinfonietta, a chamber orchestra operating under the Egyptian Philharmonic Society (EPS), will give its … More
A moveable feast: music life of Paris for all cultures
Paris beats to the rhythm of music, offering a lot of musical treasures, many of which strike a note with … More
Mystic Love or Yunus Emre Oratorio performed in Egypt
On Saturday 3 November and Sunday 4 November, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra performed Yunus Emre Oratorio, concerts that were the … More
Rossini, Native American or L’inganno felice at the Cairo Opera House
Cairo Opera Company performs Rossini’s one-act opera L’inganno felice, a much needed refreshment for Egyptian audiences. Published in Al Ahram … More
Grassroots Romeo – story of Bahiya according to The Knights of the Orient for Heritage
Between 7 and 10 October, Al-Gomhuriya Theatre hosted Bahiya, a ballet where the axes of traditional Egyptian and contemporary Western … More
Children of the Opera: looking at the past decades of concerts for children in Egypt
Cairo Opera House invites children to a special concert tailored for young audiences on Sunday 7 October Published in Al … More
Missing grandeur: Cairo Symphony Orchestra opens new symphonic season
On Saturday 15 September, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jiri Petrdlik opened its 54th symphonic season. The concert included … More
Aida opens Opera season
The upcoming performances of Verdi’s Aida scheduled for four evenings at the Cairo Opera House remind us of the significance … More
Safe Play: Raising the curtain on the new Opera House season
On 8 September, the Opening Night Gala inaugurated the new artistic season of the Cairo Opera House. The 54th season … More
Silence of the Lambs
The Pussy Riot controversy follows the classical mould of the struggle for freedom of expression, and unveils a typical authoritarian … More
Citadel Festival this year to include mostly Egyptian artists
Starting on 29 August and running until 5 September, the 22nd Citadel Festival for Music and Singing will include many … More
Ilham Al-Madfai opens Ramadan Evenings at the Cairo Opera House
On Sunday 29 July, the Cairo Opera House’s open-air theatre hosted its first Ramadan Evenings event with the renowned Iraqi … More
Collegiate talents: Yale Whiffenpoofs in Cairo
The Yale Whiffenpoofs gave a concert at the Cairo Opera House’s open air theatre on Monday 16 July. Their performance … More
Fiesta of Song: American Idol finalists perform in Cairo
Part of the Summer Festival, on 6 July, six American Idol finalists joined three Egyptian singers from the Sing Egyptian … More
Beethoven strikes again
On Saturday 16 June, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ahmed El Saedi performed two great works: Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade … More
‘Art should not be reserved for the elite’: Nora Jumblatt on the Beiteddine Art Festival
On 28 June, the Beiteddine Art Festival opens with a performance by Caracalla Dance Theatre troupe. Ahram Online spoke to … More
A universal rhapsody: Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh performs in Cairo
On 7 June, Syrian clarinetist, Kinan Azmeh and the City Band invited the audience to a large palette of musical … More
Waiting for Godunov: On the role of artists in times of political change
Hearing about a stir provoked by Boris Godunov on the stage of Mariinsky Theatre, it is hard not to draw … More
‘When I hear music, I start seeing it in my mind’ says choreographer Russillo
New York-born, Paris-based, international choreographer Joseph Russillo, talks to Ahram Online about his career, how music inspires his choreography and … More
Warda: The Algerian Rose’s legacy will live on
News of the death of one of the Arab world’s most moving singers, Warda, aka Warda al Jazairia (The Algerian … More
Contemporary Music Days: Unique in exploring contemporary music
After launching last year, ‘Contemporary Music Days’ returns 19-25 May with a wider and more dynamic programme Published in Ahram … More
Humbled by Music: Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra
On Sunday 6 May, the Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra performed an impressive programme at Teatru Manoel in Valletta, Malta. … More
Soiree Francaise with the Cairo Opera Orchestra
On 19 April, Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Dominique Rouits and a number of soloists performed works by the French … More
‘When you believe in what you’re doing, doors open,’ says pianist and arts manager Ahmed Abou-Zahra
Ahmed Abou-Zahra is one of Egypt’s most unique talents in the arts, being both an accomplished master pianist and a … More
Rasputin performance to showcase creative skills of young ballet dancers
On 18 April, dancers form the Cairo Opera Ballet Company will perform ballet Rasputin. Directed by Hany Hassan, the ballet … More
‘Sing Egyptian Women’: Popping the rules
A women’s empowerment programme that wrapped up on 5 April discovered several talented Egyptian singers despite a number of serious … More
Restoring Egypt’s Splendor: After the years of mis-management, can Cairo Opera House restore its artistic splendor?
It was funded by Japan, as a result of Hosni Mubarak’s 1983 visit to the country, and was the first … More
I think and I feel
Published in Al Ahram Weekly It was not the first time for Jiri Petrdlik to conduct the Cairo Symphony Orchestra. … More
Meet the new chairperson of the Cairo Opera House: Ines Abdel Dayem
When Shaker Abdel Hamid, Egypt’s Minister of Culture announced that Ines Abdel Dayem will be a new chairperson of the … More
Reem Kelani’s journey from occupied territories to occupied Tahrir
Palestinian singer Reem Kelani indulges herself in research on iconic Egyptian music legend, Sayed Darwish Published in Al Ahram Weekly … More
Importance of audience development in music institutions
While the Cairo Opera House suspends all activities until 25 February, it is about time to raise the difficult issue … More
Egypt’s new music scene: A revolutionary audit
Published in Al Ahram Weekly and Ahram Online “What do you think an artist is? An imbecile who only has … More
Egyptian musician Tony Kaldas nominated for 2012 Time for Peace award
Ahram Online takes a look at the career of Tony Kaldas, an Egyptian musician nominated for the prestigious Time for … More
Christmas core
Published on 5 Jan 2012 in Al Ahram Weekly One of the core elements of Christmas around the world is … More
An isolated Christmas
On 17 December, the Cairo Opera House Main Hall invited the audience to the annual Christmas Concert of the Cairo … More
Christmas with the Nutcracker: Cairo Ballet Still Hopeful
For Christmas, a little girl named Clara receives a mechanical doll. Since there is always something mysterious about Christmas, her … More
East-west bonanza
On 7 and 8 December, the Cairo Opera Ballet Company presented Ballet Lorkiana with El Leila El Kebira at the … More
A dose of Mozart
One-act operas, especially when they are by Mozart, add immeasurably to any opera company’s repertoire. Published on 3 November 2011 … More
Meet the Cairo Opera Orchestra’s new artistic director
With the opening of its new season, the Cairo Opera House announced the appointment of Nayer Nagui as principal conductor … More
Malek Jandali on art and freedom in Syria
Syrian pianist and composer talks to Ahram Online about the role of artists in his country’s fight for democracy and … More
A matter of fulfilment
Kodaly: Dances of Galanta for orchestra; Szymanowski: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 Op. 35; Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 … More
Harpsichord and Baroque violin in Cairo
Ahram Online talks to Estonian musician Saale Fischer about the chance discovery of a harpsichord in a Cairo church Published … More
Egyptian bass-baritone in Virginia Opera’s production of Aida
Ashraf Sewailam’s road to operatic stages throughout the US is inspiring for many Egyptian singers. The renowned bass-baritone talks to … More
A spoonful of arias opens the Cairo Opera Company new season
Cairo Opera Company opened new season with a bunch of famous scenes from the best-known world operas Published on Thursday … More
The perils of youth in the season’s opening of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra
An ecstatic audience filled the hall of the Cairo Opera: regulars thirsty for the classical music of which they had … More
Egyptian musicians and bands in top 20 of Makshoof Music
Cairokee, Massar Egbari, SimpleXity, Hani Mustafa, are among many artists who made it to the current top 20 of Makshoof … More
Seasonal concerns
The Cairo Symphony Orchestra has only announced the first four concerts of the new season so the audience still awaits … More
Indian Rock and Mood by Susheela Raman closes international concert series
Susheela Raman talks about the origins of her Indian-inspired rock and mood music, whose concert marked the finale of the … More
Sacred voices
At the Hayy Festival, Ati Metwaly joins in the invocations Published on 25 August 2011 in Al Ahram Weekly The … More
Karima Nayt: Algerian singer and dancer recalls the start of her career in Egypt
Karima Nayt is no stranger to Egypt’s music and dance scene. Before the expected release of her 2011 CD with … More
Talaat Zein (1955-2011) A song to remember
The Egyptian singer and actor passed away in Cairo on Sunday 14 August 2011, after a battle with lung cancer. … More
Afropop Worldwide prepares a musical portrait of Egypt
During their one-month stay in Egypt, Afropop Worldwide, collected a large amount of data for four radio episodes on Egypt’s … More
Great kick-off for Ramadan international concert series at El Genaina Theatre
Ara Musa Honra, a Spanish-based band with an eclectic resource of Funk, Reggae, Flamenco and Latin music, kicked off the … More
A midsummer night’s fracas
Ati Metwaly assesses the seasonal fever Published on 4 August 2011 in Al Ahram Weekly In many corners of the … More
Gems in dust
Enjoying the breeze at the Citadel Summer Festival… almost Published on 28 July 2011 in Al Ahram Weekly Despite the … More
Homage to the Pyramids
Pyramids and the Revolution is a new adaptation of Maurice Bejart’s ballet Pyramide – El Nour. The new production, performed … More
Czech music to celebrate Velvet and Egypt revolutions
On Saturday, 25 June, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra will perform music by Smetana, the historic Czech composer, while recalling the … More
Egyptian Arts Centennial: From Cairo to Alexandria
‘Egyptian Arts Centennial’, directed by Walid Aouni, recaptured a hundred years of Egyptian contemporary art at the Cairo Opera House … More
A delicate balance (2/2)
Cairo Opera House Main Hall, 11 June; Sergey Rachmaninov: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in D minor, Op. … More
A delicate balance (1/2)
Cairo Opera House Main Hall, 11 June; Sergey Rachmaninov: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in D minor, Op. … More
Dust of tension
Cairo Opera House Main Hall, 4 June; Mozart: Overture to Idomeneo re di Creda, K. 366, Danzi: Sinfonia concertante for … More
Passion and fantasy
Cairo Opera House Main Hall, 28 May; Edward Elgar: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in E minor, Op 85; Nikolai … More
Experiment
Ewart Hall, 18 May, Schubert Mass in G, Cairo Choral Society, Cairo Festival Orchestra, Amira Reda (soprano), Matthew Hendrick (tenor), … More
Tarek Ali Hassan: That rare whiff of true renaissance
A medical doctor, musician, philosopher, writer, poet and painter, Tarek Ali Hassan describes himself simply as ‘somebody who loves human … More
Heir apparent
The period 28 April-3 May saw the first roundof the Cairo Contemporary Music Days (CCMD) festival, organised by the European-Egyptian … More
Sherif El Razzaz taps into the voice of contemporary music
Ahram Online talks to the man attempting to revive contemporary music in Cairo’s classical music scene and its relevance to … More
Composition master class links Arab musical heritage to governing central powers
A composition master class held on 30 April, within the frame of the Cairo Contemporary Music Days, turns its focus … More
Bohemians of Broadway
On 18 April, Cairo Opera House opened the curtain for The Best of Broadway, a compilation of the best scenes … More
Bach wins again
While the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House was staging Swan Lake by the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, the … More
Brahms twice over
Meticulous in his compositions, Johannes Brahms refused to present anything less than perfect. As such, Brahms’ musical legacy remains among … More
Return of the Swan Lake
Cairo Opera Ballet Company is in the last days of preparation for the Swan Lake, one of the most beloved … More
Remembering Ziad Bakir
Works by Beethoven and Rageh Daoud pay fitting tribute to the martyrs of the Egyptian revolution Published on 24 March … More
Ati Metwaly 