Just days prior to conducting the United Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert featuring soprano Fatma Said at the new Grand … More
Category: Al Ahram Weekly
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
Lessons in theatre: On Duncan Macmillan’s play ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ in Cairo
Duncan Macmillan’s play Every Brilliant Thing was staged in Egyptian Arabic at the Rawabet Art Space in Cairo Every Brilliant … 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
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
‘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
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
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
Cornucopia of art and knowledge: Bigger and brighter 5th India by Nile festival
The fifth edition of India by the Nile, the biggest foreign arts and culture festival held in Egypt, stretched over … 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
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
‘In India I became in touch with the texture of life’: French choreographer Gilles Chuyen
During his recent stay in Cairo, India-based French dancer and choreographer Gilles Chuyen spoke with Ahram Online about the Bollywood-style … 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
Passion calling
Tango, the dance of passion, remains one of the most visually attractive performance art forms which celebrates the body in … More
The interpretation of dreams
Staged at the Cairo Opera House Main Hall on 27 and 28 January, A Sculptor’s Dream, directed and choreographed by … 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
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
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
‘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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Creative progression: on development of arts festivals in Egypt, 2011-2014
Exceptional profusion of artistic festivals in the first months of 2014, points to a new reality we cannot overlook and … More
Sanjoy Roy: “You need to be passionate about arts to be able to work in it”
Sanjoy Roy, main dynamo behind India by the Nile, reveals how he dedicated his life to art, and today runs … More
Hakawy: Nurturing children with valuable theatre and arts
One of AFCA’s biggest projects, the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children, is a hope that the Egyptian children will … More
Return of ballet Spartacus to the Cairo Opera House raises questions
The decision to cut parts of Spartacus showed a lack of understanding of what audiences appreciate in the ballet Published … More
Dancers become choreographers during the newly launched festival
On 6 and 7 March, the main stage of the Cairo Opera House will launch Abdel Moneim Kamel Young Choreographers … More
Sudhir Tailang: Political cartooning in India
Prior to his visit to Egypt in April 2014, in his home in Delhi, Sudhir Tailang, renowned Indian cartoonist talks … More
‘Arts Management is not magic’: Brett Egan from DeVos Institute
During his short visit in Cairo, Brett Egan, director of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the John F. … 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
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
Fikry: Inspiration for Al-Nour Wal Amal blind musicians’ orchestra
Amal Fikry is the driving force behind the organisation’s chamber orchestra for visually impaired women, who have traveled the world … 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
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
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
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
Ati Metwaly 