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<\/a><\/p>\nBy the 1930s, she had sung at the launch of Egypt\u2019s first radio station, and hosted a legendary monthly residency, broadcast live across Egypt and the Arab world. It cemented the reputation she had burnished in her 1932 tour of Baghdad, Beirut and Damascus, making her perhaps the first pan-Arab superstar. King Farouk of Egypt bestowed upon her the highest honour in his gift, one usually reserved for fellow royalty. After Farouk\u2019s overthrow by Nasser, her songs were banned from broadcast on the radio. When Nasser found out about this, his response was sharp: \u201cWhat are they, crazy? Do you want Egypt to turn against us?\u201d<\/p>\n
Nasser was quite right in his circumspection; even he clutched on to her coat-tails for a while, scheduling speeches and broadcasts to run immediately after her monthly broadcasts. But most of all, she was not just the voice of the common people, she was a common person who made good but who never forgot her roots. When she died in 1975, her funeral was a state event. Millions thronged the street to catch sight of her cortege, more, it\u2019s said, than when Nasser himself died 5 years previously.<\/p>\n
Oum Kalthoum is remembered with affection in Israel too: devotees will have the opportunity for a rare treat next week, when a tribute to the Queen of the Nile will be staged at Jerusalem\u2019s Sherover Hall, part of the 14th International Oud Festival. Performed by the Alfarabi Orchestra, Kalthoum\u2019s songs will be performed by four contemporary Arab starts: Mustafa Dakhlel, Khalil Abu Nikola, Lubna Salameh and Riham Mustafa.<\/p>\n
The Alfarabi Orchestra was founded in 1993 by conductor and musical director Sami Khsheibun, it has performed at festivals around the world. Kheshaiboun, a native of Kfar Kana in the Galilee, trained as a violinst at the Academy of Music and Dance in Jerusalem, and has placed particular emphasis throughout his career in advancing Arabic music techniques. Aside from the Alfarabi Orchestra, he has also performed as a soloist with many ensembles and orchestras, including the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra and the Shesh Beysh Ensemble.<\/p>\n
Queen of the Nile: Oum Kalthoum\u2019s Classics
\nThe Alfarabi Orchestra, conducted by Sami Kheshaiboun, with Mustafa Dakhlel, Khalil Abu Nikola, Lubna Salameh and Riham Mustafa
\nSherover Hall, Jerusalem, 4th November 2013, 2100<\/p>\n