Egyptian songstress Sherine Abdel Wahhab, best known simply as Sherine, charmed a sold-out audience at the Royal Opera House Muscat on Tuesday night with her sensous mezzo voice.
The 33-year-old singer, who is a famous pop star and budding actress known throughout the Arab world, performed a selection of slower, more romantic songs for her ROHM debut, accompanied by Lebanese maestro Selim Sahab and a small orchestra.
The selection of songs showcased the purity of her exquisite voice and suited the regal ambiance of the theatre.
Sherine does not have a wide range and can not hit very high notes, but what she lacks in range, she more than makes up for with depth, warmth and emotion in her voice. She teases the musical notes and lets vowels drip slowly like honey. Hers is a smoky, lilting, lyrical voice.
Singing Ana Qalbi Elik Mayyal (My Heart is Attracted to You), she made the simplicity of the lyrics, which only have two verses, seem like a saga full of intense emotion. Also, Garh Tani (Another Wound) was full of power, emotion and strength.
Admittedly, at times she seemed unsure of the order of the programme and there were some technical problems with the sound. But rather than worrying, she just giggled about it and joked with the audience, letting her sweet nature get the best of those in the concert hall.
Despite the little problems, overall Sherine's ROHM debut was touching. When she sings, Sherine seems to become completely absorbed in her music, closing her eyes and becoming lost in the songs, enjoying her time on stage, not just as an entertainer, but as someone who truly has a passion for singing, and for all music-lovers, watching that kind of moving performance is always a treat.
Al Bawaba
Via SyndiGate.info
� Muscat Media Group
