Nader Abbassi: A maestro with many hats

Just days prior to conducting the United Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert featuring soprano Fatma Said at the new Grand … More

‘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

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

Shaking it up again: Yakout on presiding over Cairo Int’l Festival for Experimental Theatre

Gamal Yakout, the newly appointed president of the festival’s 28th edition scheduled for December 2021, talks about his vision and … 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

Cairotronica: Platform for media artists to ruminate on digital technology’s impact on life

Brain child of Haytham Nawar, this year’s Cairotronica was themed ‘Data Fiction’ and took place across two venues: Factory space … 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

‘I Passed By…’: History of Egyptian theatre through Manal Ebrahim’s personal creative journey

The long-standing assistant director and director Manal Ebrahim’s unique exhibition which took place last March bears witness to the Egyptian … 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

Egyptian cultural manager Ahmed El-Attar discusses his art ecosystem

‘Keep dreaming with your feet on the ground,’ art manager Ahmed El-Attar said on his creative ecosystem In early March, … 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

Sharm El-Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth: Beating the pandemic

The festival’s fifth edition took place between 16 and 20 November 2020 Despite Covid-19 making even a one-off event, let … 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

Unusual ending to unusual edition of 27th Cairo Int’l Festival for Experimental Theatre

The festival took place despite the previous ministerial plans to cancel this year’s edition due to the coronavirus pandemic On … 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

‘The dancers are eager to get back to the stage’: Erminia Kamel, Cairo Opera Ballet’s artistic director

After two months of suspension of all cultural activities, Erminia Kamel talks about the Egyptian ballet company’s situation, saddened by … 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

Swan Lake: Dreamy poetry, seductive magic on Cairo and Alexandria stages

Tchaikovsky’s famed ballet is performed in Cairo between 10 and 13 January followed by Alexandria performances on 17 and 18 … 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

India’s dancer Aditi Mangaldas weaves the silver threads of Kathak into Egyptian audience

Aditi Mangaldas performed ‘Uncharted Seas’ in Cairo and Alexandria, as part of the India by the Nile festival In her … More

Switzerland’s HORA Theatre invites Cairo audience to look differently at disabilities

Part of the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival’s programming, the Disabled Theatre was staged on 21 and 22 March at AUC’s … More

A play for every child: Egypt’s 7th Hakawy International Arts Festival

The Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children that took place between 7 and 16 March brought theatre and other activities … More

‘Good theatre for children is essential’: UK’s renowned ‘scrapologist’ Patricia Baker in Cairo

Created by Shona Reppe, the Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean was performed within the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children … More

Closer to the people: British practices in education, inclusion, outreach through music

Following the belief that music is a journey that breaks down many barriers, UK’s cultural managers use music as a … 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

Obituary: Nehad Selaiha, theatre activist, scholar, godmother

On 6 January, the Egyptian culture scene lost Nehad Selaiha: a bilingual scholar, translator, historian, writer and critic with a … More

When the going gets tough: On challenges that 2016 brought upon Egypt’s cultural scene

In 2016, Egypt saw many economic and legal changes that impacted arts and culture scene. The cultural players will now … 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

Uncovering the face of faceless art: On Egypt’s graffiti artist Keizer, the ant and the city

With the ant being his mascot, or logo, Keizer’s large body of work includes thematic content that ranges from political … More

Ode to beauty: Reset – A page from Paris Opera Ballet’s history

Directed by Demaizière and Teurlai, Reset: A Story of Creation has been screened at the 9th Panorama of the European … More

Ballet Carmen: Antonio Gades company brings Spanish reverie to Egypt

Ballet Carmen, one of the iconic works by late master flamenco dancer and choreographer Antonio Gades, was staged in Cairo … 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

‘Dance to inspire and elevate’: Dona Ganguly brings India’s Odissi to Egypt

With India by the Nile followed by the Tagore Festival, last weeks brought a lot of cultural offerings from India … 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: Cairo Opera Ballet’s artistic director on busy season, performances in Bahrain

Artistic Director Erminia Kamel talks about the Cairo Opera Ballet’s Company busy season prior to their yet another international appearance … More

Stick Stones Broken Bones: Australia’s puppet theatre performs in Cairo

This year, the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children featured the first contribution by Australia with Stick Stones Broken Bones … More

Irresistible warning sign ‘Do not touch’ opens Egypt’s Hakawy Festival for children

On 4 March, a performance Aga Boom by the Theatre of Physical Comedy from the United States opened the Hakawy … More

‘Egypt is within me’: Prima ballerina Magda Saleh on her career and the gilded years

Renowned ballerina, a graduate of the Bolshoi ballet academy and Cairo’s Academy of Arts, former dean of the Higher Institute … More

The devil is in the expectations: Spanish coffeehouse presented at the Cairo Opera

Between 5 and 8 January, the Cairo Opera House staged a performance inspired by the famed Spanish coffeehouse Café Gijón … 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

Ars longa, vita brevis — Shakespeare, Mendelssohn, Per Poc Puppet Theatre: A many-sided conjunction at the Cairo Opera

Between 23 and 25 October, the Cairo Symphony Chamber Orchestra joined by the Per Poc Puppet Theatre from Spain performed … More

Coppélia ballet premieres in Egypt: A dash of magic and lots of art

A magical tale, Coppélia was performed by the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, attracting whole families to the Opera House 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

Gandhi by Egyptian cartoonists, remembering old premises of Indian Cultural Centre in Cairo

The exhibition, which opened on 4 October, commemorates famed peacemaker Mahatma Gandhi, yet also triggers thoughts about the former and … 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

INTERVIEW: Basma El-Husseiny, from Culture Resource to Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Cultural activist Basma El-Husseiny talks about the now Beirut-based Culture Resource, the reason behind suspending its activities in Egypt, the … More

From India to Egypt: When humankind speaks through Kathak classical dance

We move from the performance of India’s renowned Kathak dancer Prachee Shah in Cairo to Kathak courses organised by Maulana … More

Egypt stretches for celebrations of first International Yoga Day on 21 June

Football star Emad Meteb will join International Yoga Day celebrations at the Embassy of India; Renowned Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan … 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

Living the spectacle: Why Egyptians worship Bollywood

This year, the India by the Nile festival brought several components addressing Egypt’s Bollywood lovers, uncovering – or reasserting – … 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

When the passionate soul of tango reaches Cairo opera’s stage

In their first appearance in the Middle East and Africa, A Puro Tango Company transported the audience to the essence … More

Keith Bartlett from Globe’s Hamlet: ‘As we travel, the play becomes better and better’

Ahram Online talks to Keith Bartlett, a British actor, about his part in the Globe theatre’s Hamlet and the unique … More

All the world’s a stage: Hamlet’s game of contrasts captures Egyptian audience

Reaching out to audiences across the world, the Globe Theatre’s Hamlet manages to capture people of all cultural backgrounds and … More

Bound for Carnegie Hall

Mohamed Shams is among the brightest stars of his generation. The pianist played recently at the Cairo Opera House and … More

Globe to Globe associate producer: ‘Traveling with Hamlet is a joyous experience’

The Globe Theatre’s ambitious project carries Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet across the globe. Ahram Online talks to Tamsin Mehta, the associate … More

Dundu: A giant German puppet visits Egypt

Year 2015 saw a particularly original opening when a large puppet called Dundu walked the streets of Cairo and Fayoum, … 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

Generation of the greats: Egypt’s artists and intellectuals we lost in 2014

2014 left many voids in Egypt’s cultural landscape, as numerous artists and writers passed away, joining dozens of others we’ve … 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

Egypt’s Firebird premiere: Risky experiment

Between 28 and 30 October, the Cairo Opera Ballet Company staged Danses qu’on croise and Egypt’s premiere of Stravinsky’s Firebird. … 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