Damascus, Feb. 17 (SANA) The Damascus Opera House hosted a concert titled “Aghani Aal-Bal” on Monday, featuring singer Suleiman Harfoush and the Qaseed Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Kamal Skaiker.
Held at the Opera House’s Drama Hall, the performance focused on classical Arab tarab repertoire, presenting well-known heritage songs through updated orchestral arrangements. The event drew a large audience.
Harfoush performed selections from the Arab musical tradition, combining established classics with works deeply rooted in the region’s cultural memory. The arrangements preserved the original melodic structure of the pieces while introducing contemporary orchestral elements tailored to an Eastern ensemble.
The singer demonstrated vocal control and flexibility across traditional musical modes, supported by the Qaseed Orchestra’s measured accompaniment. The orchestra maintained the character of the original compositions while adding layered harmonic textures.
The programme also included two new compositions, moving between muwashshah, classical tarab and modern songs influenced by traditional forms.
In comments to SANA, Harfoush said the concert was designed to revisit works that have shaped Arab musical identity while presenting them in a way that resonates with today’s audiences. He described the preparation process as challenging, noting the effort to balance familiarity with artistic integrity.
He added that the arrangements were carefully developed to retain the original melodies while incorporating subtle harmonic additions suited to orchestral performance without altering the authenticity of the pieces.
The strong turnout and audience engagement underscored the continued popularity of tarab music in Syria’s cultural landscape and its ability to connect generations through a shared musical heritage.
