Abdelwahab

On 23 November, a one-night-only performance honouring the work of Mohamed Abdelwahab, the father of modern Arabic music, will take place at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Bringing together the talents of award-winning soprano Fatma Said, conductor Nader Abbassi and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, the performance will pay homage to the man and the inspirations behind his immortal heritage of beautiful music.

As one of the most famous figures in Egyptian and Arabic music history, Mohamed Abdelwahab was a singer, composer and actor whose career spanned seven decades. His influence can be felt worldwide. He revolutionised classical Arabic musical structures into modern styles, collaborated with and mentored the region's superstar singers, including Umm Kulthum and Abdel Halim Hafez. He also acted as a musical bridge between the Middle East and the West through incorporating Western instruments, rhythms and styles into his compositions. Abdelwahab also made significant cultural contributions to Arabic and Middle Eastern cinema. 

Guided by the perspective of The Abdelwahab Estate and expertise of producer Mona Khashoggi's in reviving cultural stories from the Middle East for international audiences, the curated programme will include Abdelwahab's own iconic songs and his compositions for other legendary Arab artists. Offering vocal performances from Fatma Said and instrumental performances by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, the format will celebrate Abdelwahab's unique fusion of cultures and his appreciation for classical music. 

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