The Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House opened its doors on Thursday for the first day of the 35th … More
Category: Ahram Online
Hundreds of artists march from Cairo Opera House to Tahrir
Ahram Online follows Morsi opposition march by several hundred artists from outside Cairo Opera House near Qasr El-Nil Bridge to … 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
British Grafitti artist Banksy in Olympics controversy
Graffiti artist Banksy produces two Olympic-themed works that challenge the glorified image of the world’s premier sporting event. Published in … 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
Cirque du Soleil faces criticism prior to performances in Israel
Tadamon, a Montreal-based collective, issue an open letter asking Cirque du Soleil to cancel performances planned for August in Tel … More
Marvels of Lebanon’s Chouf: Caracalla Dance Theatre at Beiteddine Art Festival
The 27th Beiteddine Art Festival kicked off on 28 June with Kan Ya Ma Kan (Once Upon a Time), a … 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
New mosaics at Cairo’s Faculty of Fine Arts
Students contemplate the future of art in Egypt as they wait for their graduation projects to be marked at the … 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
Egyptian theatre director receives Gloria Artis
Professor Hanaa Abd El Fattah has been awarded Gloria Artis, the Polish Medal for Merit to Culture, for his contributions … More
The quiet passion of photographer Sherif Sonbol graces Warsaw gallery
Situated in the heart of Warsaw, Smolna Gallery hosts an exhibition of works by Sherif Sonbol, a contributor to Ahram … 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
Picasso’s engravings anger Russian clergy
‘The Temptations’, an exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s engravings that opened recently in Novosibirsk, provoked controversy and angered the Russian Orthodox … 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
“I am not political,” Nermine Hammam comments on a decade-long body of her work
Prior to the opening of her exhibition Anachrony on 27 March at Safar Khan Gallery in Zamalek, Ahram Online explores … More
Hip Hop with Rennie Harris Puremovement: The brothers at the Opera
Rennie Harris Puremovement, a hip hop dance company from the US, took Cairo’s Opera House by storm on Thursday 15 … More
Celebrating spring in Egypt and across the world
People across the world have begun to celebrate spring, rebirth and rejuvenation on 21 March; Egypt’s celebrations begin in mid-April … More
Procession of giant SCAF characters steals the show in Tahrir Square
Downtown Cairo bubbled with creative energy on Friday, with large personifications of Egypt’s ruling military marching around Tahrir making a … More
Links between drama and democracy stressed at Cairo conference
Scholars discuss the relationship between drama and democracy from Ancient Greece through to the modern day at Cairo University. Published … More
Al-Gezira Club photo exhibition at Hanager puts in question artistic priorities
A photography exhibition by members of Al-Gezira Sporting Club that opened Saturday at Hanager Arts Centre fails excite and begs … 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
Benefit art exhibition in S California for Syria
A Syrian-American artist living in Southern California pulls together an exhibition aiming to raise funds for Syria. Published in Ahram … 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
US-funded project for children demolished in East Jerusalem
Palestinian ‘Cultural Café’, playground and sports centre is to be rebuilt after Israeli forces bulldozed the East Jerusalem community space … 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
Polish artists respond to Ganzeer’s appeal for ‘Mad Graffiti Week’
When the Egyptian artist Ganzeer called for international artists to support Egypt’s revolution, Polish artists were among the first to … More
One year after martyrdom: Bakir’s exhibition at Hanager provokes reflection
An exhibition by Ziad Bakir – martyr of Egypt’s revolution – displays a remarkable talent and provokes reflection on life’s … More
Talent for the times
Published in Al Ahram Weekly On Thursday 29 December, over 20 students of Sobhi Bidair’s took the stage to perform … More
Attacks on pro-revolution Syrian artists increase
Published in Ahram Online In response to last week’s disappearance of Syrian actor Jalal Al-Taweel, the Arabic Network for Human … More
Police brake up Salafist sit-in at Tunisia’s Manouba University
Published on 6 Jan 2012 in Ahram Online According to information released by Manouba University on 6 January, police intervention … More
Tunisian universities face pressure from Salafists
Art professors at Tunisia’s Manouba University holding sit-in to protest officials’ inaction in response to Salafist pressure Published on Wednesday … More
Murat Germen: Photographer of global cityscapes
Photography is on the rise globally and is no longer simply a fascinating art form; it is also an important … More
Political & religious pressures restrict our operational freedom: Minister of Culture
Ahram Online talks to Shaker Abd El-Hamid, the newly appointed minister of culture, about challenges and pressures facing the ministry … 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
Freedom is the base for creativity, says minister of culture to Art Lovers Society
Egypt’s new minister of culture tells an audience of the Art Lovers Society that Egyptians will never allow religion to … 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
Music helps babies, toddlers and kids excel
Kindermusik is a world-renowned music education programme to develop babies and toddlers; Ahram Online visits an official representative of Kindermusik … More
Tunisia security forces to break student sit-in over niqab issue
The dean of the Arts Department at the University of Manouba calls on the local police to end a sit-in … More
Carols for the Islamists
This year Santa Claus comes to Egypt under very difficult social, religious and political circumstances. With all the changes taking … More
Salafists force temporary closure of Tunisian university’s arts department
Ultra-conservative Salafist students force temporary closure of Manouba University’s arts department in row over niqab and gender segregation Published on … More
Tunisia’s creative documents
From protagonists and documentarians, today, Tunisian photographers – and other artists – went on to becoming commentators on the unfolding … More
NY fundraiser for Tahrir field hospital
Alwan Arab Music Ensemble to perform in New York to raise money for the Tahrir field hospital Published in Ahram … More
Africa through the lens
A rich source of reflection and an important wake-up call: Ati Metwaly reports from the 9th Rencontres de Bamako photography … More
Egyptian and Tunisian artists present Arab Spring at the Bamako Biennale
Bamako Encounters in November in the Malian capital draws special attention to the Arab Spring, screening films compiled by activists … 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
Egyptians, 27 African countries at Bamako Encounters in Malian capital
Egyptians among photographers and video artists from 27 African countries taking part in one of the continent’s most important artistic … More
Egyptian video artist wins award at African photography festival
Khaled Hafez won an award at the African photography biennial in Mali, for his piece which examines modern Cairo through … More
US publisher to issue Egyptian graphic novel banned under Mubarak
Author Magdy El-Shafei, who was arrested and his book banned during the Mubarak era, is to see his work published … 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
Basma El-Husseiny: Big dreams realised, more to come
Over the past eight years, Al-Mawred Al-Thakafy has introduced new dynamics to Egypt’s arts scene; Ahram Online talks to Basma … 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
Successful opening of ‘A Child’s View From Gaza’ exhibition despite efforts to supress it
Pro-Israel groups fail to force cancellation of Palestinian children’s art exhibition. Published in Ahram Online The Middle East Children’s Alliance … 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
A thousand maps without an apparent direction
Though an ambitious and fresh exhibition, Ashraf Ibrahim’s display at the Palace of Arts leaves many questions unanswered Published on … More
Seasonal concerns
The Cairo Symphony Orchestra has only announced the first four concerts of the new season so the audience still awaits … More
A curious case of officers planted in Egypt’s arts and culture scene
The January 25 Revolution toppled the president but is yet to bring major change to Egypt’s cultural institutions Published on … More
Police station in Tunisia turned into an art gallery
A few months after the killing of protesters in Thala, Tunisia, one of its police stations is turned into an … 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
Bridge: A story of an Egyptian artist at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Ahram Online speaks with the co-curator and artist of Bridge, a comment on Egyptian society by an Egyptian artist exhibited … More
Ati Metwaly 