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Abdelwahab: The Father of Modern Arabic Music

Sunday 23 November 2025, 7.30pm
Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Nader Abbassi Conductor
Fatma Said Vocalist

Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

A symphonic journey through the music of the father of modern Arabic music, Mohamed Abdelwahab, with the amazing Fatma Said and the brilliant Nader Abbassi.

Mohamed Abdelwahab is considered the father of modern Egyptian music and is one of the most famous figures in Egyptian and Arab history. A singer, composer, and actor, he was referred to as “the Arab Beethoven,” “the Arab Mozart,” or even “the Arab Frank Sinatra.” Thanks to his songs and compositions, whether romantic or patriotic, he became the greatest musical figure in the Middle East.

The programme revisits some of Abdelwahab’s iconic songs, in addition to masterpieces he composed for other Arab legends such as Umm Kulthum or Abdelhalim Hafez, and instrumental pieces that perfectly embody his love of classical music. Headlining this concert is award-winning Soprano Fatma Said who has grown up to Mohamed Abdelwahab’s music and has considered him a great influence throughout her career. The same can be said about Nader Abbassi who has worked on numerous projects with The Abdelwahab Estate.