May Farouq Performs Classics at Jaber Cultural Center
May Farouq holds two concerts in Kuwait, reviving masterpieces by Umm Kulthum and Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
During two musical evenings, the audience rediscovered the masterpieces of authentic Arabic singing from the era of classic art. Singer Mai Farouq held two concerts on the stage of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center on November 5 and 6, amidst a popular response that reflected her status among Kuwaiti audiences and their connection to the classic musical works she performs.
Her appearance on stage was preceded by a press conference, during which Farouq expressed her happiness over the bond of love and harmony she shares with the Kuwaiti audience. She emphasized her pride in the continuous concerts she holds in Kuwait, which witness massive public attendance and always sell out, prompting the organization of two concerts on two consecutive nights to meet the demand of the audience who could not attend the first show.
Farouq spoke about her experience performing works by the "Star of the East," Umm Kulthum, noting that singing for such an artistic icon is not easy, either artistically or in terms of ensuring public acceptance, given the exceptional value of her songs in the Arab consciousness and the vocal abilities and special sensitivity required for their performance.
She added that undertaking this experience was driven by her deep love for Umm Kulthum’s works, as well as those of major singers such as composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Fairuz, Abdel Halim Hafez, Mounira El Mahdi, Warda, and others, and considered it a challenge she chose for herself. She expressed her gratitude to the audience, who always surround her with love and appreciation, providing encouragement and support in presenting this genre of music.
On stage, Mai Farouq presented a diverse musical program that revived a selection of the most prominent masterpieces of Arabic music. The concert was divided into two musical segments, separated by a short intermission, during which she performed works associated with the names of major singers and composers, leaving a lasting artistic imprint on the memories of successive generations.
The selection of these works provided the two evenings with musical diversity, bringing together different singing schools, with a prominent presence of Umm Kulthum’s works, which formed a central axis in the artistic experience Farouq discussed during the press conference.
Holding the concerts on two consecutive days reflected the high attendance for the evenings presented by the Egyptian singer in Kuwait, while also confirming the continued presence of classical Arabic music in the musical landscape and its ability to attract audiences through works that transcended their time and remain present in memory and consciousness.
