https://arab.news/wfqn7
- Abdul Halim would have likely enjoyed the performances because he was a fan of live shows
DHAHRAN: The nostalgic sounds of Cairo have elegantly reverberated across the Dhahran stage during Abdul Halim tribute concerts this week.
Since Oct. 11, Ithra Theater has been transporting audiences to Cairo in a special collaboration with Baalbek International Festival, featuring 50 musicians and conducted by Hisham Gabr. Mohamed Shawky moved the crowd as he sang 12 classics by Egyptian legend Abdul Halim Hafez, including Gana El Hawa, Ahwak and Wehyat Alby.
Abdul Halim would have likely enjoyed the performances because he was a fan of live shows.
He rarely released studio albums during his lifetime, and it was known that he preferred performing his material in front of a live audience. His shows were always sold out — similarly, this theater was full.
Although he died 45 years ago, people still turned up to watch Abdul Halim’s image on a screen as clips from his repertoire of more than 30 films played and live performances took place. One man, wearing a thobe and a shemagh, maintained a stoic pose throughout one of the concerts. He didn’t seem to clap or react at all, but at the very end he softly announced to nobody in particular: “May he rest In peace, but this singer on stage now has a better voice than Abdul Halim!”
Audience members ranged from Gen Z to Boomers.
Leena Aljaber, a senior in college, came to the show an hour early. As the theater line started to grow, she became more excited. She was happy to learn that so many people — many of whom were young — had come to honor one of her favorite artists, a legend in the Arab world. She recalls spending summers in Cairo with her grandfather, who has since died, and her visit to the tribute concert at Ithra was in his memory.
“I always grew up listening to Abdul Halim, so it’s a special memory in my mind because every time I traveled to Egypt — we have a big group with my family — and I always remember sitting in the balcony with my grandfather. My grandfather would turn on Abdul Halim, and we would just sit and watch the view, overlooking the Nile,” Aljaber told Arab News. “And that’s just stuck in my head. This is a memory that I can hold on to for life. I love Abdul Halim as a singer, as an actor and as a songwriter — he has so much passion. His voice is amazing. I don’t think I have ever heard a voice like his.”
Reem, a young woman from the area, came to the venue after a long day at work.
“This is the first time I have attended a concert in my life! To be honest with you, I liked how people dressed formally, which is something we’re not used to outside in places like that. I just didn’t like that people didn’t memorize the songs before they came!” she told Arab News.
She arrived with her relatives, and a friend, all of whom excitedly sang along and soaked up the atmosphere. Before the show they visited Zooba, the recently opened restaurant straight out of Cairo which serves Egyptian favorites with a modern twist. The restaurant provided every ticket holder with a coupon for a free dish of rice pudding to sweeten the night.
The tribute concert starts at 8:00 p.m. and runs for about 1.5 hours. The last show will be on Oct. 15.
Tickets are SR250 ($66) and can be purchased via the Ithra website, app or on-site.