- Title: Trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf performs at Baalbek Festival
- Date: 23rd July 2017
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AUDIENCE MEMBER, EMILE MOUSSA, SAYING: "A creator from Lebanon, renowned world-wide, it was really beautiful, the venue was full, two hours and ten minutes passed by like a brief moment, we would have liked it to be longer. We hope to see him another time in Lebanon."
- Embargoed: 6th August 2017 13:12
- Keywords: Ibrahim Maalouf Baalbeck Festival Jazz performance Lebanese music events
- Location: BAALBEK, LEBANON
- City: BAALBEK, LEBANON
- Country: Lebanon
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0036QXS0UT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Renowned trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf attracted hundreds of devotees to the Baalbek Festival on Saturday (July 22) for a magical evening of acoustic bliss.
Switching between trumpet and keyboard, Maalouf blended music from his Arab heritage with Western sounds, saying he was thrilled to be performing in Lebanon.
"Lebanese people don't really know my music, I am trying to use this opportunity that I have here in Lebanon, in Baalbek, that is the most beautiful place for such an event, for people to hear my music more," Maalouf said.
Famous for his award-winning film soundtracks and jazz-inspired music, Maalouf played pieces from his 2015 album "Red & Black Light", encouraging the audience to interact with the performance.
Born in Beirut to musician parents, Maalouf switched effortlessly between instruments.
Having grown up in Paris after the family fled Lebanon during a civil war, Maalouf said he was acutely aware of the political tensions in his home country.
Nearby in Arsal, clashes on the Lebanese Syrian Border between Lebanon's Shi'ite militia Hezbollah and the Syrian army against Sunni militants continued, a second day of an assault to drive them from their last foothold along the Syria-Lebanon border, pro-Damascus media reported.
Maalouf noted the significance of the concert going ahead, calling it "an act of resistance".
Despite the volatility, fans remained determined to attend the coveted event.
"In the end there is nothing but art and music that can bring Lebanon out of the current security situation that is very hard, we are in a war zone and it is very hard, concerts and people like this can bring us out of this atmosphere," said one audience member, Maha Maalouf.
Baalbek is the longest running cultural festival in Lebanon.
Founded in 1956 by then-President Camille Chamoun, it is considered the most prestigious of the country's annual festivals, having welcomed the Arab world's musical legends such as Um Kulthoum and Fairouz. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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