World Premiere at the Beiteddine Art Festival

July 10, Al Midan Courtyard

 

Diwaniyat Hob –  ديوانية حب
“Echoes of the Golden Era” by the most celebrated voices of the Arab World
Jahida Wehbe, Lubana Al Quntar, Reham Abdel Hakim

 

“Echoes of the Golden Era of Arabic Music” is an original production conceived by Jahida Wehbe, crafted specifically for the Beiteddine Art Festival.

 

This artistic creation brings together three renowned Arab divas – Jahida Wehbe, Lubana Al Quntar, and Reham Abdel Hakim—in an unconventional and vibrant Majlis of Tarab, infused with the rich soul of Arabic singing and poetry. Each of these remarkable artists carry within her voice a vast heritage, vivid memories, and a singular, soulful expression that revives the essence of Tarab.

 

This tribute honors the legendary icons of Arabic music, including Umm Kulthum, Wadih Al Safi, Fairuz, Abdel Halim Hafez, Asmahan, Leila Murad and Sabah… and features selections from the artists’ own repertoires”.

 

An orchestra of 25 musicians, featuring guest artists who are among the most distinguished Lebanese and Arab masters of sound, will be led by the acclaimed cellist and conductor Ahmad Taha. Together on stage, they will create a performance that is both luminous and innovative.

 

Jahida Wehbe – The Priestess of the Stage and Poetess of the Voice

 

 

Jahida Wehbe, known as “The Priestess of the Stage” and “The Poetess and Intellectual of the Voice,” is celebrated for her dedication to authentic art, as noted by Wadih El Safi. She holds a degree in psychology and a postgraduate diploma in Eastern singing from the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music, specializing in oud, Arabic operatic singing, and Quranic recitation. Additionally, she has a diploma in acting and directing.

 

Jahida has composed over 70 musical pieces, with a significant portion inspired by mystical poetry from figures like Al-Hallaj and Rumi. Her voice serves as a vessel for the works of renowned poets, including Al-Mutanabbi and Nizar Qabbani. She has performed with prestigious orchestras worldwide and collaborated with notable conductors.

 

In addition to her musical career, Jahida has acted in theater and film, representing Lebanon in international festivals. Her artistry highlight’s themes of love, humanity, and Sufi mysticism, earning her numerous awards, including the Munir Bashir Award for Artistic Creativity. Recognized by the University of Cambridge as one of the 2,000 most influential intellectuals of the century, she has been described by Ahlam Mosteghanemi as a “miracle of blessed vocal cords.”

 

Jahida Wehbe’s performances restore dignity to Arabic music, delivering culture with grace and enchantment.

 

Lubana Al Quntar Celebrated Soprano in Opera and Classic Arabic Singing

 

 

Lubana Al Quntar is a renowned Syrian opera and Arabic classical singer, celebrated as the first Syrian opera artist to perform on international stages. Born in Damascus into a musical family related to Asmahan and Farid Al Atrash, she developed her artistic voice from an early age.

 

Lubana trained at prestigious conservatories in Europe, earning degrees from the Maastricht Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music in London, and the High Institute of Music in Damascus. She studied under notable instructors and participated in masterclasses with distinguished conductors.

 

Her accolades include:

Fifth Prize at the Queen Elizabeth International Singing Competition (2000). First Audience Prize and Fourth Overall Prize at the Belgrade International Singing Competition (1996), Over 270 performances worldwide, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

 

Lubana founded the first Department of Classical Arabic Singing at the High Institute of Music in Damascus and led the Arabic Vocal Ensemble to regional acclaim.

 

Her artistic repertoire includes:

Operatic works by Puccini, Verdi, Bellini, and Mozart. Her Arabic repertoire includes Umm Kulthum and Asmahan, and Syriac hymns and Levantine folk traditions.

Lubana has starred in productions such as:

The first musical about Umm Kulthum, performed in London, Dubai, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, Concerts with the National Arab Orchestra. Performances with major orchestras in Brussels, Paris, Berlin, and Washington, DC.

 

Now based in the U.S., Lubana is a Visiting Artist at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, where she founded the first Arab American Choir.

 

Current Projects:
Umm Kulthum Musical Tour across Arab and European cities, “Two Millennia of Musical Kinship,” tracing vocal heritage from ancient chant to modern opera.

 

Reham Abdel Hakim – An Outstanding Voice that Revives the Spirit of the Beautiful Era

 

 

An Egyptian artist born in the United States and raised in Egypt. She graduated from the Faculty of Arts – English Department and began singing at the age of seven at the Cairo Opera House with Maestro Salim Sahab’s ensemble. She gained attention for her role in the TV series “Umm Kulthum”, portraying the young Umm Kulthum, nominated by the renowned composer Ammar El Sherei. She also performed theme songs and musical pieces for several TV series such as Umm Kulthum, Al-Hassan Al-Basri, Khatem Suleiman, He & Da Vinci, and Al Ostoura. Additionally, she sang in films like Enta Omry and Asal Eswed. She has been a regular performer at the Arab Music Festival at the Cairo Opera House and has participated in major musical events across the Arab world, including Jerash Festival, Beiteddine Festivals in Lebanon, Riyadh Season, Hala Bil Magaz, concerts in Qatar, Expo Dubai, Dubai Opera, and the Royal Opera House in Muscat. She also took part in the Pharaohs’ Golden Parade in Egypt under the baton of Maestro Nader Abbassi. She also performed in many tribute evenings, including for Ammar El Sherei, Warda, and Al-Sonbati, conducted by leading maestros such as Walid Fayed and Hany Farahat. She released a musical album titled “Ahla Hadiyya” and received several accolades and awards, most notably the Golden Microphone from the Arab States Broadcasting Union, twice in a row. Reham is known for her authentic style and her mastery of classical Arabic singing, delivered with delicacy and deep emotion—making her one of the prominent voices reviving the golden age of music.