The first performance among the Roman ruins of Baalbek since the nation’s economic crisis marked the beginning of Lebanon’s worldwide music festivals.
The orchestra was led by conductor Lubnan Baalbaki and his sister, vocalist Soumaya, on Friday night under the banner “Baalbek Nights Return.” Lubnan’s first name means “Lebanon,” while his surname name means “from Baalbek.”
Every summer, the nation used to host a number of music festivals that drew worldwide performers every weekend. The small reopenings this year virtually entirely feature Lebanese performers.
As Soumaya sang Arabic songs on a platform erected inside the temple of Bacchus, the Baalbek audience moved and chanted along, her silver gown glistening in the lighting.
She sang both traditional ballads and her brother’s own compositions, which were created by Lebanese writers.
There are widespread power outages and drug shortages nationwide as a result of the country’s financial crisis, which the World Bank has dubbed one of the worst since the industrial revolution.
The 2020 Beirut port explosion and many waves of the coronavirus epidemic have put further burden on the Lebanese population.
After the performance, Soumaya informed the journalists, “Today is a special day. “We put on this festival despite all the challenges that have plagued our work. It is an act of resistance and a demonstration of faith in our nation, in its reputation as a producer of change via art, culture, and soft power.”
She has never before performed in the city that bears her name. The last time her brother performed there was in 2019, shortly before Lebanon started to fall apart.
“The coronavirus epidemic had a particularly negative impact on music and the arts. The first to cease working and the last to start again were artists. This time is extremely crucial for musicians and for the country as a whole “Lubnan stated.
“We are being forced by the crisis to turn back to Lebanese talent and authentic Lebanese voices. Tonight’s concert by Soumaya in Baalbek served as a reminder of the value and sophistication of our musical culture “remarked audience participant Micheline Abi Samra.
She told the media, “We were very pleased, and the days ahead will be even better.”
Journalist Ricardo Karam, who was present at the Baalbaki concert on Friday, stated, “We are going through really terrible circumstances and very sad days.” “They enhanced their beauty and vibrancy.”
