Baalbeck International Festival 2019 Press Conference

Baalbeck International Festival 2019 Press Conference.

Marcel Khalife

Ode to a Homeland

The Lebanese National Philharmonic Orchestra

Conducted by Lubnan Baalbaki

Notre Dame University Choir conducted by Khalil Rahme

Friday July 5^th, 2019

Steps of Bacchus Temple

The official opening of the Baalbeck International Festival will feature the legendary Marcel Khalife performing his most celebrated repertoire on the steps of the Bacchus Temple. The acclaimed singer, composer and oud player will be accompanied by the Lebanese Philarmonic Orchestra conducted by Lubnan Baalbaki and the NDU choir conducted by Father Khalil Rahme. This exceptional evening of music and poetry on freedom, love and unity will offer a glimmer of hope in these difficult times.

Melody Gardot

Sunday July 7^th, 2019

Steps of Bacchus Temple

The best-selling singer, songwriter and musician Melody Gardot will grace us with her presence this summer. After 4 outstanding albums, 10 years of continuous touring, performing over 300 shows in the most prestigious venues, she has become a leading name on the international stage. In 2017, her guest star appearance during Ibrahim Maalouf's concert in Baalbeck was a memorable moment. With her dusky sweet voice and unique live act, she will surely captivate the audience with her performance on the steps of the Bacchus Temple.

A World Premiere Cine-Concert

An Evening with Abdel Halim

With Mohammed Assaf

Romanian Orchestra and The Lebanese Orchestra for Oriental-Arabic Music

Noha Hafez - singer

Amir Ramses - videographer

Orchestrated and conducted by Hisham Gabr

Saturday July 20^th, 2019

Steps of Bacchus Temple

Following the success of Baalbeck Remembers Oum Kalthoum in 2018, the Baalbeck International Festival is delighted to present a world premiere cine-concert featuring Abdel Halim Hafez' songs and movies on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birth. Known as el-Andaleeb el-Asmar, he is considered to be one of the greatest Egyptian singers and actors of his time and his work has made him an integral part of a lasting Arab musical legacy.  This unique evening will showcase excerpts of Abdel Halim's films accompanied by the phenomenal young singer Mohammed Assaf, whose Arab Idol win propelled him to fame and to the hearts of millions.  This cine-concert featuring 50 musicians will be conducted and orchestrated by Egyptian Maestro Hisham Gabr with the special participation of fellow Egyptian artists, singer Noha Hafez and videographer Amir Ramses.

Requiem

G. Verdi
Maria Agresta - soprano
Daniela Barcellona - mezzo

Giorgio Berrugi- tenor
John Relyea- bass

Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra

Antonine University Choir
Toufic Maatouk - conductor
Friday July 26^th, 2019
Bacchus Temple

This extraordinary performance of Verdi's Requiem features 4 internationally renowned vocalists: soprano Maria Agresta, acclaimed for her soaring phrasing,  joined by distinguished mezzo-soprano Daniela Barcellona, magnificent tenor Giorgio Berrugi and one of today's finest basses John Relyea. Toufic Maatouk will conduct the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra and Antonine University Choir delivering a thrilling account of Verdi's masterpiece in the heart of the Bacchus Temple.

This concert is produced in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute and the Italian Embassy.

Jain

Souldier Tour

Thursday August 1^st,  2019
Steps of Bacchus Temple

Baalbeck welcomes this summer French rising sensation Jain. Her outstanding 2015 album debut Zanaka has earned her the Best Female Artist award at the 2017 Victoires de la musique and a nomination at the Grammy Awards. Her global hits Come and Makeba have over 90 million views on Youtube. Her second album Souldier released last summer rises to the challenge. Part of her worldwide tour, her highly anticipated show on the steps of the Bacchus Temple will showcase her incredible stage talent and unique vibrant sounds blending global influences. She will surely get the crowd jumping, dancing and singing along.

Jahida Wehbe

Andalusian Scents

From Muwashahat to Flamenco

With Omar Bashir and his band

Friday August 2^nd, 2019

Bacchus Temple

This enchanting mystical night will showcase Jahida Wehbe's unique voice and stage presence in a mosaic of music and poetry, bringing together the oriental emotional chanting and Andalusian melodies. This dazzling performance is a celebration of two worlds, merging the magical Muwashahat to the passionate Flamenco harmonies. Jahida Wehbe will be accompanied by renowned oud virtuoso Omar Bashir and his musicians, with the participation of Spanish Singer Melchior Campus and Flamenco dancer Léa Llinares.

Omar Bashir

And his band

Oud Around the World

Saturday August 3^rd, 2019
Bacchus Temple

Oud Around The World is a journey through several music cultures in a spirit of peace and mutual understanding. Renowned Oud virtuoso Omar Bashir will play traditional music from Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey, interpretations of Latin, Flamenco and Indian genres, compositions from the Bashir family, as well as meditational solo music. In the Bacchus Temple, accompanied with his 7-piece ensemble joined by string and woodwind sections, he will also perform for the first time tracks from his latest album The Dancing Oud. Having experimented the fusion of Oud and Guitar, Omar Bashir opened new possibilities for oud players worldwide. He recently received a Platinum award from Universal Music for outstanding sales of his albums.

Photo Credits : Photo Press Agency