Beiteddine Festival opens with Amal Maher's renderings of the music of Oum Kalthoum By Matthew Mosley Daily Star staff Saturday, July 04, 2009 Listen to the Article - Powered by Review Beiteddine: "A Tribute to Oum Kalthoum" might sound a terrible idea. The Egyptian diva, known variously as "Kawkab al-Sharq" ("The Star of the Orient") or "Al-Sitt" ("The Lady"), has such a legendary presence that any pretender to her throne seems bound for disaster. Like an actress playing Marilyn Monroe or a painter copying the canvases of Vincent van Gogh, there might seem something ridiculous about another singer taking on the oeuvre of Kalthoum. Within half an hour, however, Amal Maher had won over any doubters. The Egyptian vocalist, playing the part of Kalthoum for the Beiteddine Festival's opening night spectacular, let out a long,... [read full story]
