The Algiers Opera Boualem-Bssaish (Algiers) hosted, Thursday evening, the show “Perfumes of Algeria”, a mosaic of symphonic, Andalusian, Châabi and Bedouin music.
Organized as part of the cultural program of the 7th edition of the Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) which is being held in Algiers, this cultural event is the result of a collaboration between the Symphony Orchestra and the ballet of the Algiers Opera, under the artistic direction of maestro Lotfi Saidi, in addition to the participation of the ballet of the National Office of Culture and Information (ONCI).
The show was enhanced by the presence of the Minister of Culture and Arts, Soraya Mouloudji, the Minister of Finance, Laaziz Faid, the Advisor to the President of the Republic in charge of finances, banks, the budget, reserves of foreign exchange, public procurement and international regulations, Mr. Mohamed Boukhari, as well as representatives of the different sectors and the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria.
A host of artists hosted this show including Lila Borsali, Lamia, Koceila Adjrad, Sofiane Zighem and the duo Yamina Lekaf and Imad Eddine Eddouh having performed several songs from the Chaabi, Andalou, Bedoui repertoires, in addition to the performance of pieces drawn from the universal classical music.
Organized by the Algiers Opera and the ONCI, the show opened with an extract from the opera “The Barber of Seville” by Giaochino Rossini followed by “‘O surdato ‘nnammurato” performed by Imed Eddine Eddouh and a Mozart concerto, given by Yamina Lekaf.
The audience also enjoyed a recital by Andalusian music singer Lamia, who enchanted the audience with her sublime rendition of “Ya Belaredj Ya Tawil El Qayma” a song made famous by the late Fadhila Dziria, and “Kan Ma’akoum Jat Welfi Ya Lli Zayerine”.
For her part, Sofiane Zighem captivated the audience with her interpretation of “Qalbi Tefekker A’rabane R’hala” by the master of Bedouin song, Khelifi Ahmed, and “Ya Ard Falestine” (land of Palestine) by the icon of the popular song, Mohamed El Badji, performed by Adjrad Koceila.
Andalusian music performer Leila Borsali took the stage to perform pieces from different musical modes, such as “Harq Edh’na”, “Asbahna Fi Rawdh Behidj” and “Nar Hawakoum”.
Choreographic scenes were also performed by members of the ballet troupes of the Algiers Opera and the National Office of Culture and Information (ONCI), dressed in traditional costumes, who gave life to a fascinating mosaic of Algerian folk dances, like Chaoui, Kabyle, Aâlaoui and Targui, in a harmony reflecting the richness of our national heritage.
The evening was closed with a collective performance of the popular song “Farha Wa Zahwa”, followed by an award ceremony for the participating artists.
In this wake, the conductor of the Algiers Opera Symphony Orchestra, Lotfi Saidi told APS that this show, which “brought together a host of talented artists from the Andalusian, Chaâbi and lyrical styles, offers a captivating journey through the different Algerian and international musical expressions”, emphasizing that “the pieces were chosen to be to the taste of the public”.
Translated from APS
