By the end of her life, Umm Kulthum was the icon of the entire Arab world; the voice that embodied the Arab soul and translated it into countless songs. This year, we commemorate her 50th death anniversary and remember the four million Egyptians who accompanied her to her final resting place.

The Phonograph Changed Me, a performance by Marmoucha Orchestra in collaboration with composer, singer and filmmaker Toni Geitani, explores Umm Kulthum’s listening environment and early career. Through an interdisciplinary concert, they explore her early influences and inspirations.

Opening Rotterdam Arab Film Festival
The concert The Phonograph Changed Me is also the opening performance of Rotterdam Arab Film Festival (RAFF). Before the concert, Toni Geitani and author Willem Bruls will discuss the career of this extraordinary singer, whose legacy made her a legend in the Arab world. Geitani explains the choices he made for the concert, while Bruls explores the importance of the Aida story in both Western opera and Egyptian film. The discussion will also include representations of what we have come to call the Orient and aspects of Orientalism.

19.00: Walk-in with Arabic snacks and music
19.30: O. Talk with Willem Bruls and Toni Geitani. Arturo den Hartog sings songs from Egyptian operas by Handel
20.30: Performance The Phonograph Changed Me
22.00: Closing party

For this performance, an early bird rate of €20 applies to the first 250 tickets (until 30 April at the latest). After that, the standard rate of €25 applies. Young people under 30 years old can attend the performance for a reduced rate of €17.50, no early bird rate applies to this.

“A Phonograph Changed Me is a journey through the life of Umm Kulthum, focusing not only on her singing talent, but also her extraordinary ability to listen. She has become the voice of Egypt, a symbol of national pride and cultural identity. More than 50 years after her death, Umm Kulthum remains an indispensable part of the daily musical landscape in the Arab world.” – Rosh Abdelfatah, director Rotterdam Arab Film Festival

Tip from O.
As part of Rotterdam Arab Film Festival, the film Aida (1942), directed by Ahmed Badrakhan and starring Umm Kulthum, will be screened at LantarenVenster on 29 May.