Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, November 2007, page 56
Music and Arts
MESTO Performs in Jordan
Dr. Nabil Azzam and his 40-piece Multi Ethnic Star Orchestra traveled to Jordan to perform at the 25th Jarash Festival July 28 and in Amman’s Roman Theater the following day. Singer Dala Abu-Amina drew standing ovations for “Flower of Jordan,” a composition by maestro Azzam with lyrics by Henry Zughaib.
Both programs featured Dr. Azzam’s composition, “al-Karama” as well as classical Arabic music and American standards. The audience joined in the performance of “Hadi ya Bahar” (Calm Down, Sea).
The Los Angeles-based symphony orchestra had been scheduled to perform in Jordan in August 2006, but Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon precluded last year’s engagement.
The Jordanian media covered both performances, as well as a tour of Petra offered to the musicians by Dr. Tarif al-Shawaf.
—Pat McDonnell Twair
