SHARJAH: In a magical night of musical nostalgia that tugged at the heartstrings of every fan in the audience, the fifth edition of the Sharjah World Music Festival (SWMF 2018)  on Sunday celebrated the rich legacy of the late iconic Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez at The Flag Island Amphitheatre.

The sensational second night of the festival, organised by Furat Qaddouri Music Centre and presented by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in a strategic partnership with Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and Al Majaz Amphitheatre, highlighted why one of the most adored musicians in the Arab world still has such an influence on modern culture.

Abdel Halim, also known as ‘Al Andaleeb Al Asmar’ (The Great Dark-Skinned Nightingale), ‘The King of Arab Music’, ‘The Voice of the People’, ‘The Son of the Revolution’, and ‘The King of Emotions and Feelings’, won the hearts and minds of millions during the 1950s and 60s, and the audience at last night’s stunning tribute showed the extraordinary passion his music continues to evoke.

Three Egyptian artists, Ahmed Effat, Mai Hassan and Mohammed Metwalli, accompanied by the Cairo Opera House Orchestra conducted by maestro Mohammed Ismail Al Mouji led the homage, performing some of Hafez’s most stirring music to a crowd of hundreds whose reaction to every piece reflected not only the musicians’ immense talent, but their own obvious love of the icon’s work.

With sublime renditions of songs such as ‘Awel Marra Teheb Ya Albi (The First Time to Love), and ‘Ta’ali A’olek’ (Come to Tell You), which was initially performed by Hafez along with Egyptian singer Shadia in the movie ‘Lahn El Wafaa’, the audience was taken back in time to an era that aroused powerful emotions with a potent combination of lyrical brilliance and musical genius.

With a legacy that is very much alive and thriving, the fans joined in the singing and shouted out their favourites for the artists to perform. Ahmed Effat did not disappoint, treating them to some of Hafez’s best hits such as ‘Mawood’ (Destined) and ‘Gabbar’ (Strong).