Cal Performances Presents Program

Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 8pm Aswat Zellerbach Hall (“Voices”)

Aswat PROGRAM (“Voices”) Mohammad Abdel Wahhab (1907–1991) Fakkaruni

Wadi’ Al-Safi (b. 1921) Jannat

Al-Safi Weili Laou Yidrun

Wahhab Sakana l-Layl

Zakariyya Ahmad (1896–1961) Il Wardi Gamil

Assi Rahbani (1923–1986) & (1925–2009) Sahrit Hubb

INTERMISSION

Celebrating the Golden Age of Arab Music & Cinema Farid Al-Atrash (1915–1974) Kahramana

starring Al-Atrash Layalil Unsi Fi Vienna

Ibrahim Azzam Ahmad Ana Fi Intidharak Malleit Sonia M’barek Wahhab Ya Wardi Min Yishtirik Khalil Abonula Rima Khcheich Al-Atrash Ma ‘Alli w-‘Ultillu Wahhab Ya Di n-Na’im Simon Shaheen, director

Presented in Association with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan.

Cal Performances’ 2008–2009 season is sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank.

4 CAL PERFORMANCES CAL PERFORMANCES 5 Program Notes Cast

Aswat Repertoire The Aswat Orchestra

Fakkaruni (“Remind Me”) This traditional Arab orchestra features virtuoso instrumentalists playing violins, , double An instrumental arrangement of a vocal master- an instrumental dance performed in his filmAfrita bass, cello, nay, () and percussion under the direction of maestro Simon Shaheen, piece composed in 1966 by Mohammad Abdel Hanim (“Jinni”), produced in in 1949. It was recreating the sound of the Golden Age. Wahhab and sung by Egyptian diva Um Kulthum. composed for dancer and actress , The song starts with a lengthy introduction and in- who played the main role next to Al-Atrash. Director, Violin Simon Shaheen cludes several interludes that link together to form a fantastic instrumental. Layalil Unsi Fi Vienna (“Merry Nights Singers Ibrahim Azzam, Sonia M’barek, in Vienna”) Khalil Abonula, Rima Khcheich Jannat (“Gardens”) Sung by Asmahan in the 1944 film Gharam Wa A popular song composed by Lebanese com- Intiqam (“Love and Revenge”), and composed by Violin Kamil Shajrawi, William Shaheen, poser and singer Wadi’ Al-Safi to lyrics by Abdel Asmahan’s brother, Farid Al-Atrash, with and lyr- Adeeb Refela, Georges Lammam Jalil Wihbeh. It is a monologue extolling nature’s ics by Ahmad Rami. The song is an invitation to beauty in , which is described as one rejoice in the beauty, music and presence of the Cello Tomas Ulrich majestic garden. ones you love, in Vienna. Double Bass Walid Zairi Wayli Laou Yidrun (“Woe, If My Folks Know”) Ana Fi Intidharak Malleit (“I Am Tired of Another song by Al-Safi and Wihbeh, describing Waiting for You”) Qanun Jamal Sinno a man’s love and affection for a woman never ap- Sung by Um Kulthum in 1943, this song was proved of by his parents. composed by Zakariyya Ahmad with lyrics by Nay, Bassam Saba Mahmoud Bayram Al-Tunisi. The song describes Sakana l-Layl (“Calm Night”) a person who is fed up waiting for his beloved. He Percussion Michel Merhej, Dafer Tawil The lyrics for this piece are taken from a poetic keeps the fire burning inside his ribs by count- genre known as qasida. Sakana l-Layl was com- ing the seconds during the absence of a love who Najib Shaheen posed by Mohammad Abdel Wahhab with lyrics never shows. by Khalil Gibran, author of The Prophet. Ya Wardi Min Yishtirik (“The Flower Buyer”) Il Wardi Gamil (“Lovely Flowers”) A monologue composed and performed in 1940 by Acknowledgments Sung by Um Kulthum in 1947, the song pre- Mohammad Abdel Wahhab and premiered in his miered in the film Fatima. It was written by poet film Youm Said (“A Happy Day”). The lyrics were Artistic & Musical Direction Simon Shaheen Mahmoud Bayram Al-Tunisi and composed by written by Lebanese poet Bishara Al-Khoury. Egyptian composer Zakariyya Ahmad. In this Sound Technician Luis Lozano song, Um Kulthum sings to the lovely flowers as Ma ‘Alli w-‘Ultillu she collects them from the garden. A popular song composed and performed by Farid Road Manager Walid Zairi Al-Atrash in his 1950 film, Akhir Kithba (“Last Sahrit Hubb (“An Evening of Love”) Lie”), with actress/dancer Samia Gamal. The lyr- Technical Assistance Sofiene Rais A television musical sketch, composed and writ- ics, written by Abu al-Su’ud al-Abyari, address an ten by the and performed, in the envious group which tries to separate two lovers. Tour Representation SRO Artists Inc. mid-1960s, by , Wadi’ Al-Safi and the cho- www.sroartists.com/artists/aswat rus. The theme is based on a love story that takes Ya Di n-Na’im (“Living in Happiness”) place in a Lebanese village. A dialogue composed by Mohammad Abdel Tour Coordination Steve Heath Wahhab and performed with Layla Murad in his Kahramana 1938 film, Yahyal Hubb (“Love Wins”). The lyrics, Film Production & Editing Izidore Musallam Composer Farid Al-Atrash produced many films as by Ahmad Rami, describe the reunion of two lov- a vehicle for introducing his music. Kahramana is ers after a long separation. Special Thanks University Musical Society, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Tamizdat

6 CAL PERFORMANCES CAL PERFORMANCES 7 About the Artists About the Artists

Aswat (“Voices”) talent by the age of five, with both his singing and tracks for Abulkacem Echebbi (“The Dance of instrumental skills on the oud. Born in , Fire”). Ms. M’barek has worked successfully with The period from the 1920s to the 1950s is con- his father and mother were singers known for their Tunisian players Ali Sriti and Anouar Brahem, sidered the “golden age” of Egyptian cinema, but vast command of the Arab traditional musical with whom she presented more than 30 concerts it was also a golden age of song in many parts of repertoire. At the age of 10, Mr. Azzam studied of classical Arabian music, entitled Tarab (1993– the Arab world—in particular, Egypt, Lebanon for a period of eight years with professor, Hikmat 1994), leading to the CD recording Tarab. In 1999, an . Many of these country’s greatest singers Shaheen, a leading Palestinian composer and oud her recording Takht was distributed all over Europe, and composers reached unprecedented heights of performer. In 1975, Mr. Azzam moved to England the United States and Japan on the German label, artistry and stardom during these years. The be- and made his new home in . Since then, World Network. She has participated in numer- loved diva Um Kulthoum and Mohammad Abdel he has established himself as one of the leading ous conferences, workshops and master-classes on Wahhab from Egypt, Syria’s Farid and Asmahan Arab vocalists in Europe and the Middle East. singing in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Al-Atrash and Lebanon’s Wadi’ Al-Safi and Fairuz, Mr. Azzam has performed in some of the most Egypt, and Lebanon. In 2005, she was all represent the very best this era had to offer and legacy of . A graduate of the Academy prestigious venues in the world, including the nominated by the ministry of culture to serve as add to the impressive canon of Arabic music. of Music in and the Manhattan School Royal Albert Hall in London, the Opera House the chair of national festival of the Tunisian mu- Now, one of today’s leading Arab compos- of Music, Mr. Shaheen learned to play oud from in Geneva, the Opera House in , the Royal sic. She has received countless awards for perfor- ers and multi-instrumentalists, Simon Shaheen, his father, Hikmat Shaheen, a professor of mu- Cultural Centre in Amman, the Cultural Palace mance and artistry from prestigious organizations brings this era back to life with Aswat (“Voices”): sic and a master oud player. Mr. Shaheen estab- in Ramallah, the Village Gate in New York City around world from the Middle East, Europe and Celebrating the Golden Age of Arab Music & Cinema. lished and runs both the Annual Arab Festival and Lisner Auditorium at George Washington North America. With a traditional Arab orchestra and special guest of Arts, Mahrajan al-Fan, held in New York, and University. One of Mr. Azzam’s most distinguish- vocalists, Mr. Shaheen directs an evening of clas- the Annual Arabic Music Retreat, held at Mount able traits is his unique and idiosyncratic voice, Khalil Abonula is sic, unforgettable melodies, soul-stirring voices Holyoke College. He was presented with the pres- which has been compared to that of the pro- a Palestinian who and lush orchestral arrangements, authentically tigious National Heritage Award at the White lific Arab singer-composer, Mohammad Abdel was born in the city recreating and interpreting the sights and sounds House in 1994 and has received awards and grants Wahhab. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, of Nazareth into a of this magical time. from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mr. Azzam was taken under the wing of his newly musical family. His Mr. Shaheen’s international search for the New York State Council on the Arts and many found mentor, and he became one of the finest father and mother top Arab singers of today has yielded Ibrahim others. Mr. Shaheen has performed in many of performers of Abdel Wahhab’s vocal repertoire. were singers and both Azzam of Palestine, Sonia M’barek of Tunisia, the most prestigious concert halls in the world Mr. Azzam has also performed with the likes of played on the oud. Khalil Abonula of Palestine and Rima Khcheich and he regularly gives workshops and lectures at Wadi’ Al-Safi and the Lebanese diva Sabah. He His mother taught of Lebanon. Brought together exclusively for the leading institutions such as The Juilliard School has also worked with established Egyptian com- him to play oud and Aswat project, the vocalists render the most beloved and Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, Harvard and posers Baligh Hamdi, Farouk Al-Sahrnoubi and introduced him to Arabic songs of all time from such composers as Yale universities. Hilmi Baker. theory in Arabic music. Since his early childhood, Mohammad Abdel Wahhab, Farid Al-Atrash and Mr. Abonula participated in school’s special events the Rahbani Brothers. The virtuoso instrumental- Sonia M’barek was as a solo singer and joined the church choir where ists of the Aswat Orchestra provide a rich musical Featured Singers born in 1969 in Sfax, he learned many of the Byzantine hymns. Also, he experience for Arab music devotees and initiates Tunisia. She per- grew up listening to the masters of Arab classical alike. As a backdrop to the live performance, pre- formed for the first music particularly the , Sayyed Darwish, served images and film footage of the great singers time in public at the Saleh Abdel Hay, Mohammad Abdel Wahhab and of the golden age are projected onto a large screen. age of nine, and at 12 the Lebanese Wadi’ Al-Safi, whose voice and style The result is a multimedia experience of historical she was introduced of singing caught Mr. Abonula’s attention in partic- depth and lasting emotional impact. to a large TV audi- ular. At the age of 12, Mr. Abonula joined with his ence. From 1977 to father as a singer in community events and parties. 1986, she attended After graduating from high school, Mr. Abonula Artistic Director the national conserva- started his first music band, Samah, named after tory of music in Tunis, a spiritual style of singing and dancing in Syria. A virtuoso on the oud and the violin, Simon graduating with a di- Over the last 20 years, he has performed at distin- Shaheen is one of the most significant Arab musi- ploma of Arabic music. Since then, she has sung guished venues and festivals throughout the Arab cians, performers, and composers of his generation Highly influenced and inspired by his very musi- for musical theater productions like Asker Ellil, world as well as in Greece, Bulgaria and France. and his work incorporates and reflects the deep cal family, Ibrahim Azzam showed exceptional Eté 61, Taht Essour, Didon, and on film sound

8 CAL PERFORMANCES CAL PERFORMANCES 9 About the Artists

Rima Khcheich is an instructor of classical Arabic sing- ing at the Lebanese National Superior Conservatory of Music in . She started singing at the age of seven, and two years later she became a member of the Arab orchestra and chorale in Beirut under the direction of Salim Sahhab. At the age of 11, she became a soloist with Sahhab’s group, singing the most diffi- cult repertoire in Arabic vocal music. A graduate of the Lebanese National Conservatory of Music and the Lebanese American University, Ms. Khcheich has performed in live performances throughout the Middle East, Europe and the United States. She specializes in Arab-Andalusian muwashshahat form and 19th- and 20th-century Arabic tradition- al vocal repertoires. Since 1999, Ms. Khcheich has been a faculty member of the Annual Arabic Music Retreat at Mount Holyoke College.

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