Abu Dhabi, March 29th, 2008 (WAM) - The third evening of the 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival, currently taking place at the Emirates Palace, introduced an Arabic repertoire to the stage after two days of Western classics. And how! The third evening aligned perfectly with the previous day?s stellar performances -an alignment of the stars, you could say- as the night's artists proved their own star quality: an incredibly gifted and celebrated new generation of artists performing the classics with virtuosity, passion and respect.

In its very fitting title "Hiwar Ma'a Al Kibar" (Dialogue with the Greats), the third day of the 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival united onstage Maghreb and Mashrek, with stars from Egypt and Morocco: Khaled Selim and Asmma Al Monaoar singing to conductor Saeed Kamal's orchestra with his precise and masterful guidance. The memory and timeless works of the greatest singers of the last half-century were very much present in the hearts and minds of both performers and audience as Selim, Al Monaoar and Kamal explored the powerful and diverse repertoires of Umm Kalthoom, Fayrouz, Mohammad Abd Al Wahab, Warda Jaza?aria and Abd Al Haleem Hafez among others.

This evening of music was particularly special, not only because of the high calibre of the talent on-stage or the mythical status of the songs and singers, but also due to the diverse nature of the audience. Obviously, there were many fans of Arabic music present, very much looking forward to this "Dialog with the Greats", but just as notably, the audience comprised many non-Arab Festival-goers, some familiar with the repertoire at hand, others curious to discover the legends of traditional Arabic music. In this sense, the 5th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival was performing superbly one of its many functions: connecting people and cultures and providing a platform for Arabic heritage and tradition to find a voice -two voices and a beautifully led orchestra on this occasion- linking the present and the future.

The first set was Asma Al Monoaor's: after a beautiful introduction during which Saeed Kamal's orchestra built-up expectation, a serene Asma Al Monaor appeared onstage and entered in "dialogue" with the rich repertoire of Warda Al Jazairia, Feyruz and Om Kelthoum, just to name a few of the great singers she invited into the auditorium through her soulful singing. From the first notes she sang, Al Monoaor approached the classics with much concentration and respect, engulfed in the timeless beauty of the repertoire she was bringing back to life.

Her first song was Warda Jazairia's "Once upon a time" (Fi yaom wa laila) during which she set the tone -literally- for the rest of her performance: precise, powerful and vibrant. Her voice brought all the soul and vibrations of Warda's classic into the auditorium, to which the audience responded with admiring applause. After having set this standard of perfection, Asma Al Monaoar upheld it through a particularly rich, diverse and complex repertoire, be it Feyrouz's "There were many people" (idash kan fi nass) or Layla Murad's "My heart is my guide" (albi daleelee) with its waltz based rhythms. There was something of a trance in Al Monaoar's singing and the young Moroccan star conveyed a powerful, mesmerizing feeling to her audience who only set itself free from this spell to applaud again, and again.

This is when Monaoar delivered the ?coup de grace?: returning to her native Maghreb (North Africa), both geographically -her last song, Wahran, was a celebration of this beautiful city of Western Algeria- and linguistically -she returned to her native Moroccan accent- Al Monoaor pushed her performance to new heights with a powerful and passionate interpretation of Ahmad Wahby's classic, offering a resounding and magical finale to her set "Bravos" burst among the audience in appreciation.

After intermission, it was time for Khaled Selim to enter into his own dialogue with the Greats. He did so masterfully, approaching the great classics of Arabic music with a unique mix of delicacy -intimacy at some times- and power. But Khaled Selim was not only in conversation with the great names and songs he was reprising? he also entered into a close and subtle interaction with Saeed Kamal?s orchestra and the audience.

The first piece, Abdelhalim Hafez's "Beauty" (Al Halwa) was a fitting one, as beauty was indeed on display. The audience saluted Selim's soulful interpretation with approving applause. The clapping was as much a sign of admiration as it was a subtle participation of the audience in the song.

"Without blame" (Bilash attab) was a unique display of intricate and subtle interactions between orchestra and singer: the music did far more than accompany Selim. It underlined and responded to the singer's powerful yet subtle voice, offering him moments of "quasi-a capella" singing. The audience joined in repeatedly by clapping, at some moments in rhythm, at others just to salute Selim?s soulful singing.

During his whole set, Selim displayed a very unique ability to be playful and moving, powerful and subtle in the same time. Selim's persona is far from the image one might have of an immensely acclaimed star: his eagerness to celebrate the talent of Saeed Kamal's conducting, and of his musicians, plus his appreciation of the audience, made this a very special moment of music during which all present found great pleasure and intimacy. This combination was indeed the trademark of many of the "Greats" of Arabic music, and by managing to re-create this magical mix, Selim proved that he, too, is truly one of the great performers in the world of Arabic music, with a range -both vocal and in repertoire- of which one can only wonder where the limits lie.

Just as fitting as his opening, the last piece, Abdelhalim Hafez?s ?Mighty? or ?Invincible? (?Jabbar?), was absolutely appropriate: indeed, might was the operative word to describe Selim?s voice as he performed this long, intricate song, and its continuous exploration of the range of Arabic music and its quarter tones. A vibrant, powerful and soulful Selim pushed the audience to a frenzy as the song played with the orchestra and the audience in its ability to stop and go, offering musical surprises at each turn, punctuated by the powerful musical exclamation ?Jabbar!?? Such an ending could not be topped. And the audience tirelessly applauded as if to match the ?might? of Selim?s voice and interpretation.

Powerful applause responding to a powerful voice and a no-less-powerful song: such was the fitting conclusion to this ?Dialogue with the Greats? which proved to be a night to be remembered at the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2008.