Survey of Middle Eastern

Music

Kalista Khalil
Fairuz
• Her breakthrough came with the melancholic
song 'Itab’ in 1952, followed by international
recognition.
• Born Nouhad Haddad in Beirut, Fairuz joined
the school choir and gained attention for her
natural singing talent.
• Halim al-Rumi suggested she make Fairuz her
stage name which means Turquois
• She gained recognition after marrying Assi el
Rahbani and was invited to perform in Cairo
• May 15, 1999, was officially proclaimed
"Fairuz Day" in Las Vegas in addition to being
awarded the keys to cities during her U.S.
concert tours>
Sabah
• Sabah is an actor and singer who was born
Jeanette Gergis al-Feghali on November 10th,
1927, and died on November 26, 2014
• She has been involved in more than 80 films
and has contributed to over 25 theatrical
productions.
• She got married 10 different times and had 2
children
• Sabah's career began at the age of 13, and
she quickly rose to stardom with her first
film, "El Qalb Louh Wahid" in 1945, and that
is where her stage name Sabah came from
• She held citizenship in Lebanon, Egypt,
Jordan, and the US
Wadih el Safi
• He had an 80-year career that started when he was
only 12
• He dropped out of school at the age of 12 and started
singing professionally at local events
• He became a pioneer of Lebanese folk music,
mastering instruments like rebab, violin, and oud, and
drawing inspiration from Egyptian stars and his
grandfather's teachings.
• Collaborating with the Rahbani family and co-starring
with Fairuz and Sabah, Wadih played a crucial role in
developing the new Lebanese urbanized folk style.
• He gained recognition at the Baalbek International
Festival in 1957, for contributing to the preservation
of Lebanese folk music.
Umm Kulthum
• She served as the president of the Egyptian Musicians' Union,
participating in government committees, and acting as a cultural
emissary.
• Umm Kulthum’s career flourished in Cairo during the 1920s when she
mixed Western music style with Egyptian-Arabic style in her music, and
by 1928, she had become one of the top performers.
• After Egypt's defeat in the Six-Day War, she toured the Arab world,
donating $2 million from her concerts to the Egyptian government,
making her a symbol of national pride and solidarity.
• In 1910, she started singing in events in villages and towns and at
weddings along with her father.
• Her career lasted for more than 60 years producing about 300 songs.
Fadi el-Atrash
• He was the lead actor in 31 Egyptian musical films from
1941 to 1974
• Despite struggling with heart problems for the last 30
years of his life, he continued producing music and
performing till his decease.
• Had a music career that lasted for forty years, where
he showed his talents as a music creator, singer, and
instrumentalist. In addition, he was named “king of
oud “ for his extraordinary talent.
• He sacrificed getting married because he was so
committed to art.
• His music was very diverse consisting of romantic,
patriotic, and religious themes. He also often chose his
character’s name to be “Wahid” which stands for
lonely.
References
• https://www.aub.edu.lb/doctorates/recipients/Pages/fairuz-profile.asp
x
• https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/07/sabah

• https://aljadid.com/content/wadi-al-safi-lebanon%E2%80%99s-eternal-
voice
• https://www.harvardmagazine.com/1997/07/umm-kulthum-ibrahim
• https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/feb/28/she-exists-out-of-ti
me-umm-kulthum-arab-musics-eternal-star
• https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/egypt/top-10-facts-about-umm-k
ulthum/
• https://www.arabnews.com/node/2236401/lifestyle