As part of the inaugural season of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, Cairo Opera House recently hosted a unique event that highlighted the richness and diversity of Arab and international music. Entitled “Ana Hawet Wa Ntaheit” (I Loved and I Finished), this concert, conducted by Maestro Mohamed Saad Basha and featuring singer Amira Ahmed, left a lasting impression on the music lovers present that evening.
The carefully selected program offered a refined artistic experience, skillfully merging Arab and international musical heritages. From the very beginning of the concert, the audience was transported by the masterful rendition of Georges Bizet’s “La Jeune Fille d’Arles”.
Amira Ahmed’s captivating voice then resonated through the hall as she performed “Lan Abky” (I Will Not Cry), a poem by Palestinian poet Fadwa Tuqan set to music by Ahmed al-Saidi. An emotionally charged moment that touched everyone’s heart.
The evening’s apotheosis was reached with Sayed Darwish’s “Ana Hawet Wa Ntaheit”, brilliantly rearranged by Maestro Mohamed Saad Basha. This iconic piece captivated the audience with its emotional depth and timeless beauty.
Finally, the orchestra delivered a memorable performance with an overture and Polovtsian dances from Alexander Borodin’s opera “Prince Igor”. Borodin’s masterful work, influenced by Russian folk music, transported the audience through bold harmonies and captivating rhythms.
Founded in 1959 by Austrian Maestro Franz Litschauer, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra has established itself as a pillar of the Egyptian music scene by welcoming world-renowned artists. It is also committed to promoting Egyptian musicians, composers and conductors, thus contributing to the cultural enrichment of the country.
Over the years, the Orchestra has expanded its artistic repertoire by adding renowned international compositions and organizing training workshops with international speakers. Its artistic tours around the world have also contributed to promoting the talent and creativity of the Egyptian music scene on an international scale.
In short, this concert at the Cairo Opera House brilliantly illustrated the virtuosity and passion that drive the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, testifying to its desire to carry the colors of classical music high in a world in perpetual artistic evolution. An unforgettable evening that will remain etched in the memories of the spectators, testifying to the greatness of musical art and its unifying power.