JEDDAH: Search giant Google marked what would have been the 86th birthday of late Egyptian opera singer Ratiba El-Hefny on Saturday with a Google Doodle featuring the famed artist.
The doodle showcases famed Arab soprano’s “love for the piano, her encouragement of young musical talent, and her excellence in Arabic and classical music,” Google said.
In 1961, Cairo’s Khedivial Opera House opened its doors to the general public for a special performance — Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow,” translated into Arabic and performed by El-Hefny.
The performance opened the world of opera up to every Egyptian and was the launching pad for a career that saw El-Hefny complete more than 500 operatic performances, winning fame and recognition at home and abroad.
El-Hefny learned to play piano at a very young age, achieving professional proficiency.
She was also adept at traditional folkloric instruments including the qanun and oud. Her fluency in classical and Arabic music led to operatic performances in Egypt and across Europe.
German lieds were another of her specialties. She was one of those rare artists to have mastered both Arabic and Western music.
She was the first chairperson of the new Cairo Opera House when it began its activities in 1988, a position she held until 1990.
El-Hefny died on Sept. 16, 2013.
Google celebrates late Arab soprano Ratiba Al-Hefny with doodle
Google celebrates late Arab soprano Ratiba Al-Hefny with doodle
