Some 6000 people wept, screamed, adored and died a thousand deaths, as Fairuz, Lebanon’s ambassador to the stars, illuminated the Beiteddine festival with her first performance on July 27, according to Thisiscyberia.com.
Accompanied by her son Ziad Rahbani and a symphonic orchestra lead by Armenian conductor Karen Durgaryan, the queen of our hearts was welcomed by an already standing audience, cheering her with a roar that echoed deep into the night.
And there she was, standing before us with all the grace, dignity and elegance in the world.
She started with the sensual song Shou Bkhaf, as shades of orange, blue and violet lights complemented the softness of her voice. The opening song was followed by the entrancing Khallik Bil Beit, which has the grandness of a symphony combined with the simplicity of a ballad.
Indeed, every single instrument complimented Fairuz’s voice, enhancing its hidden splendor. The strings acted as its skeleton, the wind instruments gave it flesh, while Ziad on piano made the whole thing breathe.
The audience then had a little break with two excellent Ziad Rahbani compositions: Intro-Binnisbi Labokra Shu and the crowd pleaser Walla’t Ktir with its witty and sarcastic lyrics of everyday life in Lebanon.
Both were presented in new arrangements pushing the jazz element to new boundaries by mixing it with oriental arabesque. That was just one example of Ziad Rahbani’s talent in experimenting with music.
But then the diva re-emerged and solemnly strolled towards the microphone. Immediately, a silence fell upon the crowd. It was a chilling moment. Fairuz was up to something serious.
The song that deserved all that gravity was Al Ardu Lakom (The Land Is Yours) written by the other Lebanese legend, Gibran. Like a Greek oracle, Fairuz stood and sang peoples’ fears, hopes and history: “The land is yours, sanctify freedom so that you won’t be ruled by the tyrants of the earth.”
The crowd roared. Apart from the late Om Kulthoum, Fairuz is the only Arab singer with the ability to mesmerize people. Only Fairuz can give us a sense of patriotism and dignity.
She continued with Zahrat Al Madaen, perhaps the greatest song ever about the Palestinian struggle and concluded the concert’s first half with Rah Neb’a Sawa, a song about the glorious Lebanon that only exists in Fairuz’s songs.
After the break, Fairuz ascended the stage in a dazzling white gown and began with an innovative jazz number by Ziad called Inshallah Ma Bu Shi, a cheerful, funny song that instantly appealed to the people.
Several excerpts of popular Rahbani tunes and a new instrumentation of La Inta Habibi, took people on a journey into the good old times and the memories of passionate love.
Sayed Darwish’s Ahu Dalli Sar and Al Bosta - with a great string arrangement of violins and violas - and the intense Beadu Al Habayeb followed, while the audience sang, cheered and cried to Fairuz’s incomparable voice.
Then came the beautiful love song Sabah Wu Masa (Morning and Evening) which is a perfect illustration of the power of simplicity in music. Fairuz sang with an incredible transparency, while the music once again revealed Ziad’s maturity as a composer.
He further proved that with Wu Qameh, a musical achievement that can match the works of the greatest composers. Each instrument played solo, blending into an astounding crescendo. It was pure magic.
Baadak Ala Bali and Al Bent Al Shalabiya, two of Fairuz’s most loved songs, came next and concluded the concert. But the crowd was not willing to let go. Not just yet.
Six thousand people applauded in exultation, screaming Fairuz’s name frantically and demanding more, while hundreds rushed towards the stage, throwing flowers at the diva’s feet.
Fairuz was speechless before this euphoria, gracing the ecstatic crowd with her irresistible smile. She bowed and left, sending them kisses in the air. But every time, the roaring increased to deafening levels and brought her back on stage.
She then repeated the last song, but still, the stubborn audience was not willing to let her go. Again, she left and returned. She sang the huge hit Talfan Ayyash, literally sending waves of delight among the crowd. But still they would not let go, and the poor woman was confounded. It was a truly unbelievable scene that lasted for 20 minutes and reconfirmed Fairuz’s extraordinary status – Albawaba.com
