Baligh Hamdi Tribute Concert: 4 Incredible Highlights From Last Night’s Performance
After much anticipation, crowds were treated to a delightful evening at this year’s Riyadh Season. See all the highlights here…
Regional star power was in full force as the brightest talents congregated for the unforgettable “Masterpieces of Baligh Hamdi” concert at Riyadh Season last night. It was an evening to celebrate and honour the career of the late Egyptian composer.
Baligh Hamdi Tribute Concert at Riyadh Season
The concert commemorated his extensive career, which began when he was commissioned to create music for the legendary Umm Kulthum. The collaboration birthed the song Hakam Alayana Al-Hawa, a famous tune in her repertoire as the last song produced before the singer’s death. Baligh Hamdi is responsible for over 1,300 compositions and is regarded as an incredibly influential figure in Arab music.
In the words of musician Hani Muhanna, “Baligh was not an artist, but rather a genius. He was a mass of feelings that travel on the ground. He is the inspiration of art. He never needed time to think, but rather sat down and produced immediately, and this came about because of his presence in all places.”
Baligh’s artistic brilliance intertwined personal connections as his collaborations often turned into life-long friendships that were grounded in music. His talent was an important part of him and sharing it has been a huge part of a lot of people’s lives, as they choose to play his songs at weddings and other important occasions.
Baligh Hamdi Tribute Concert: 4 Incredible Highlights From Last Night’s Performance
1. Aziza Jalal and Tarek El-Shennawi were in attendance.
The concert was held at the Abu Bakr Salem Theatre, organised by Benchmark stage. Nestled in the crowd were stars such as Aziza Jalal and Tarek El-Shennawi.
Aziza Jalal commented; “I am happy to be present on a night that I consider a night of loyalty to this great artist, whom I had the great fortune to sing with.”
Art critic Tarek El-Shennawi also shared “Baligh Hamdi is the rainbow of oriental music, his melody is youthful, modern, and fresh. He did not halt at a certain stage and was always ambitious. When he started something, he did not leave it until he reaches its depth, and he always added a different spirit to everything.”
2. The crowd enjoyed a special documentary film
In typical fashion for Punch Mark concerts, the event opened with a documentary spotlighting the life of the late musician. Bringing together important figures from the Egyptian music industry, the film illustrated the importance of Hamdi’s contributions to Egyptian culture.
Early on in Baligh Hamdi’s career, he appeared on the Egyptian radio as a singer, he then went on to transition to composing. This step showcased the depth of his understanding of his talent. Hamdi understood his voice as more than an instrument and his poetic creations poised him as a great master for his generation. The documentary also delved into the transformative impact Baligh had on Abdel Halim Hafez’s career, emphasising the strong professional bond and genuine friendship they forged through their collaborations.
3. Assala opened the evening
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وفي عز الكلام سكت الكلام ✨@AssalaOfficial
..#روائع_بليغ_حمدي #RiyadhSeason #BigTime #بنش_مارك pic.twitter.com/1C8kxbgdUj— Benchmark | بنش مارك (@Benchmark_ksa) November 9, 2023
Baligh Hamdi’s evening began with Syrian singer Assala Nasri, who opened the concert with the classic Sabha, Al-Shahroura, song Zai Al-Asal. In a vintage white gown and side-swept waves, she captivated the audience by stepping onto the stage barefoot.
Expressing gratitude she remarked, “Many thanks to Saudi Arabia and the Entertainment Authority for giving me this opportunity to stand among Egypt’s creative people and under the leadership of the wonderful maestro. My presence in this ceremony is the pride of my career.”
4. Nancy Ajram took to the stage.
Nancy chose to sing Black Eyes by the late Warda Al-Jazairia, gaining an amazing reaction from the crowd who were reminded of the importance of Baligh Hamdi’s contribution through music. The singer wore a stunning black A-line gown with a silver studded top and performed with a full orchestra.
Watch the Baligh Hamdi Tribute Concert here.
بث مباشر لليلة #روائع_بليغ_حمدي … ❤️?
Enjoy the live-stream of Baligh Hamdi special nighthttps://t.co/1udrRPEfGz
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) November 9, 2023