DHAHRAN: Acclaimed 30-year-old Lebanese musician and vocalist Walaa Al-Jundi graced the King Abdulaziz Center’s Ithra Theater for her two-night gig starting on Thursday.
Wearing a glittery black dress, she dazzled the crowd with her performance on opening night.
“I’m happy to be here with you and my hope is that we will perform the best songs for you,” said Al-Jundi.
She sang a mix of original songs and classics, and several members of the audience joined her in song, swaying in their seats and creating an impromptu karaoke-like atmosphere.
Al-Jundi became a household name nearly a decade ago when she participated in the Arabic version of the singing competition, “The Voice,” in 2015. Although she did not win in that third season of the show, she captivated audiences and advanced through multiple rounds.
Known for her rich, soulful voice, Al-Jundi seamlessly weaves together elements of classical Arabic music and contemporary pop. Her distinct style has earned her recognition across the Middle East.
At Ithra, the ensemble consisted of Al-Jundi, Bahaa Daoud as maestro, Moayad Saleh, and Ahmad Ghorbel and Eslam Gamal on the violin. They were accompanied by Maichel Fouad on the qanoun, Hany Bedair and Mohamad Arafa on percussion, Karim Kotb on bass, Anas Moukhtar on ney, and Anis Waja on cello.
“Journey through the golden era of Arabic music, showcasing the timeless music of the Middle East with a selection of songs originally performed by iconic singers such as Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, Souad Mohamad, Mohamad AbdelWahab, Sabah and others,” the booklet that was handed out at the entrance described the show. “Walaa will bring her unique vocal power and interpretation to these classics, bridging tradition and modernity.”
