Conductor: Nader Abbassi
Soprano: Fatma Said
What do Mozart, Beethoven and Frank Sinatra all have in common? They have all been used to describe the output and impact of Egyptian singer and composer, Mohamed Abdel Wahab. Considered the father of modern Egyptian music, Abdel Wahab’s influence over Arabic music cannot be overstated. Over a career spanning seven decades until his death in 1991, he composed more than 1,800 songs, leaving an indelible mark not only on Egyptian culture but on the entire Arab world. No wonder he has been dubbed the Arab Mozart (and Beethoven, and Sinatra).
The Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, featuring renowned soprano Fatma Said, pays homage to this towering figure in Abdelwahab, a one-night concert celebrating his extraordinary legacy. With such a vast catalogue to draw from, it’s a thankless task to try and encapsulate his music in a mere 90 minutes, but conductor Nader Abbassi has assembled a programme that serves as both a greatest hits collection and a compelling introduction to Abdel Wahab’s distinctive sound.
Abdel Wahab’s music is essentially a fusion of traditional Arabic melodies with Western classical orchestration; imagine the intricate vocal traditions of the Middle East meeting the sweeping strings and brass of a European symphony. His repertoire includes both purely orchestral pieces and vocal works, many of which stretch across 10 or 15 minutes, allowing melodies to develop and breathe. What makes his music so distinctive is its emotional range: it can shift from intimate, almost whispered passages to grand, cinematic moments that feel larger than life.
Abbassi’s selection revisits some of Abdel Wahab’s iconic songs while also including pieces he wrote for other legendary performers of the Arab world. The evening moves fluidly between purely orchestral numbers that showcase the composer’s skill at blending Eastern and Western instrumentation, and vocal pieces that highlight the expressive possibilities of Arabic song.
All the vocals are provided by Fatma Said, a leading soprano who has grown up with and been significantly influenced by Abdel Wahab’s music. Her deep personal connection to this repertoire is evident throughout; she brings a playfulness and joy to his work that’s quite intoxicating to listen to, her voice effortlessly navigating the ornamental flourishes of Arabic vocal tradition while maintaining the clarity and power of her operatic training.
The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, meanwhile, proves itself more than equal to the task of interpreting this unfamiliar repertoire. Under Abbassi’s direction, they capture both the lush romanticism and the distinctive rhythmic character of Abdel Wahab’s compositions, demonstrating how naturally his fusion of traditions works when performed with sensitivity and skill.
Abdel Wahab remains relatively unknown to those outside the world of Arabic music, and based on last night’s performance, you have to ask yourself why. His ability to blend European-style melodies with Arabic language and merge both European and Arabic instrumentation makes for gloriously heady listening: music that feels simultaneously exotic and accessible, rooted in tradition yet bracingly modern. This is an evening that will undoubtedly keep longtime fans happy while opening the door for many more to discover one of the 20th century’s most innovative and influential composers.
Reviewed on 23 November 2025
