Abeer Nehme
Encyclopedia
Abeer Nehme (born 19 May 1980) is an ethnic Syriac Lebanese
singer and a musicologist. She performs traditional Tarab music, Lebanese traditional music, Rahbani
music, and sacred music from the Syriac-Maronite, Syriac-Orthodox
, and Byzantine
traditions. In 2009 she joined Jean-Marie Riachi
for the album Belaaks. The song "Belaaks" (On the Contrary) is a duet with Ramy Ayach
and is an oriental jazz arrangement of "Quizás, quizás, quizás
" in the Lebanese dialect
.
Abeer has been referred to as "The All Styles Specialist" because of her talent in performing dialogues between different styles of music with her amazing voice: Oriental modal traditional styles, Lebanese styles, Syriac-Aramaic
religious ethnic style, Greek Byzantine religious style and Opera and modern western styles.
Abeer is a Qanun player (an oriental traditional instrument) and earned a bachelor degree with the highest ever earned grade in oriental singing from the USEK University (Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik). Her renown exceeded quickly the Lebanese audience to reach the Arab then the Greek and the Syriac international audiences.
As a professional in ethnic old music, Abeer interpreted, amongst other interpretations, a complete album of traditional Orthodox Syriac chants (a dialect of Aramaic) with the Syrian National Philharmonic Orchestra under the patronage of the Syriac Patriarch of Antioch, his Holiness Moran Mor Ignatios Zakka Iwas II.
As an Oriental modern singer, this elegant performer played the leading role in various musical plays.
Abeer participated as an honored guest amongst major superstars in international festivals throughout the world, and preformed as a soloist in several concerts accompanied by various International Philharmonic Orchestras among which the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Greece, Germany, Egypt, Tunisia etc. "Abirou Salati" (Aroma of my prayer) is a spiritual journey through different styles of music; from the old music traditions of the fathers of the church, traditions of prayer and profound spiritualism, to the modernism of the people of God in the twenty first century, a modernism of grandiosity and majesty.
in a play for the Rahbani Brothers
at the Baalbeck International Festival
.
In 2007, Nehme interpreted the leading female role in Andalusia, Jewel of the world, a play by Elias Rahbani produced by the royal family in Qatar
and Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned.
She is now playing the leading role in Elias Rahban’s play Ila
.
2009: Aroma of My Prayer
Nehme released one CD titled Aroma of My Prayer that represents a panorama of the sacred music from the Syriac Orthodox to the Syriac Maronite to the Byzantine
to the Armenian traditions till the contemporary religious chants of major composers.
2009: Bel Aks
Nehme is the main singer on Jean Marie Riachi's album Bil Aks released in 2009.
Her next release is a western music CD in English produced by Darren Michealson (21st Artist Century).
1998 and 2004: Paul VI hall, Basilica of St Peter (At the occasion of the beatification and canonization of Lebanese Maronite Monk Nehmetallah El Hardini).
2001: Multiple performances in concerts and ceremonies (At the occasion of the canonization of Lebanese Maronite nun Rafqa)
Germany
2002: Invited by the Embassy of Germany and the “Young Musicals”, Nehme participated during two weeks in the Master Classes and music workshop in Weikersheim. She was the only Lebanese performer in the event not only as a performer but also as a lecturer in Oriental music.
France
2002 and 2003: Concerts in Notre Dame de Paris, Avignon, Marseille, St Raphael, Nice
2007: In the context of the International Musical Festival and Conference at Royaumont- Paris, Nehme delivered a concert focusing on improvisation with the artist Zad Moultaka
. Nehme was the main participant as well in a workshop addressing improvisation in tonal and atonal music.
Nehme delivered a concert with musicians from the Orchestra of Strasbourg: She was the only representative of the Arab world with the participation of the most important composers and musicians from around the World, especially Europe and the USA
Nehme taught a Master Class in Oriental Maqam and gave a concert representing the Lebanese traditional music and improvisation.
Great Britain
2003: A concert in London
Belgium
2004: A concert at Place Falgey international Festival- Brussels: Addressing Mouchahat
2004: A Concert at Evillerses : addressing Syriac and Lebanese music
Tunisia
2002: A concert with other major Tunisian soloists in the context of a joint musical project organized by USEK and the University of Tunisia. The concert was accompanied by the Tunisian National Philarmonic Orchestra.
2003: A concert organized by Masrah Al Madina addressing Lebanese and Arabic Music
2004: A Syriac music concert in the context of studies at the Congress of Tonal Music (with Ecume).
Egypt
2002 and 2004: 2 solo concerts at the opera of Cairo and Alexandria in the context of the congress of Arab Music.
Nigeria
2005: Two religious concerts in Lagos at the occasion of the presence of the relics of St Charbel.
Syria
2003: A solo concert accompanied by the Syrian Philharmonic National Orchestra at the occasion if the opening of the House of Opera. Abeer performed opera music as soprano.
2006: A solo concert accompanied by the Syrian Philharmonic National Orchestra at the Palace of Congress, to underline the Orthodox Syriac musical patrimony and reveal its treasures.The concert was first of its kind in the context of Traditional Music. A CD with the recording of the concert is to be released soon in Europe.
2007: A solo concert accompanied by the Syrian National Orchestra in the context of the 19th Bosra International Festival. An audience of 33,000 person attended the concert.
2008: A solo concert at the Palace of Congress with the Philharmonic National Orchestra, in the context of the festival of Damascus as a CAPITAL OF CULTURE of the Arab world
2007 and 2006: A solo concert at the Palace of Culture in Lattaquieh in the context of the “Agafi Festival”
Greece
2007: At the occasion of the anniversary of the “Apostoliki Diakonia”, Nehme was invited as a guest of honor to a major concert with the Philharmonic National Orchestra of Greece conducted by Kalkhanis Eleotherios at the “Megaro Mousiki” – the palace of music in Athens. Greek stars were participating in the concert as well: Marita Paparizo, Chronis Andronidis, and Yorgos Voukanos.
Australia
2008: A fundraising concert aiming to help the students of USEK. Other concerts in Sydney and Melbourne were delivered as well by Nehme addressing the religious chants of the Holy Week.
Iraq
2008: Due to the war in Iraq, the Iraqi youth were not allowed to travel and participate in worldwide day of the youth (JMJ (Journee mondiale de la jeunesse)). Hence, Nehme was the only singer who volunteered to go to Iraq. In order to give the Iraqi youth their chance to have their own worldwide day of the youth in Iraq. Accordingly, Nehme delivered many concerts in Kurdestan, Arbil, Karkook, Ain Kawa, Chaklawa, and Aradel.
Sweden
2008: Nehme delivered 2 concerts in Stockholm and Trolhaten addressing the Syriac and Lebanese musical heritage.
2010: Nehme delivered 2 concerts in Södertälje addressing the Syriac and Lebanese musical heritage.http://kulturdelen.nu/2010/tvatusenarig-musik-pa-estrad/
http://lt.se/kulturnoje/1.869946-varldsstjarna-gastar-estrad
Switzerland
2008: Nehme delivered a fundraising concert in Geneva for the help of children who have cancer in the context of the international Sabrina action.
Other
Many other concerts were delivered by Nehme in Bahrain, Dubai and Kuwait either for cultural or fundraising purposes.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
singer and a musicologist. She performs traditional Tarab music, Lebanese traditional music, Rahbani
Rahbani brothers
The Rahbani Brothers , Assi Rahbani and Mansour Rahbani , were Lebanese composers, musicians, songwriters, authors, playwrights/dramatists, philosophers, and poets...
music, and sacred music from the Syriac-Maronite, Syriac-Orthodox
Syriac Orthodox Church
The Syriac Orthodox Church; is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean, with members spread throughout the world. The Syriac Orthodox Church claims to derive its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in Antioch by the Apostle St....
, and Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
traditions. In 2009 she joined Jean-Marie Riachi
Jean-Marie Riachi
Jean-Marie Riachi is a Lebanese arranger, composer and record producer.Riachi grew up in a non-musical family, however his passion and talent in music was obvious when he started playing the keyboard at the age of eight...
for the album Belaaks. The song "Belaaks" (On the Contrary) is a duet with Ramy Ayach
Ramy Ayach
Ramy Ayach is a Druze Lebanese singer, songwriter, composer, and instrumentalist.- Early life :...
and is an oriental jazz arrangement of "Quizás, quizás, quizás
Quizás, Quizás, Quizás
"Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" , is a popular song by Cuban songwriter Osvaldo Farres. Farrés wrote the original Spanish lyrics, as well as composing the 1947 hit...
" in the Lebanese dialect
Lebanese Arabic
Lebanese or Lebanese Arabic is a variety of Levantine Arabic, indigenous to and spoken primarily in Lebanon, with significant linguistic influences borrowed from other Middle Eastern and European languages, and is in some ways unique from other varieties of Arabic...
.
Abeer has been referred to as "The All Styles Specialist" because of her talent in performing dialogues between different styles of music with her amazing voice: Oriental modal traditional styles, Lebanese styles, Syriac-Aramaic
Syriac language
Syriac is a dialect of Middle Aramaic that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. Having first appeared as a script in the 1st century AD after being spoken as an unwritten language for five centuries, Classical Syriac became a major literary language throughout the Middle East from...
religious ethnic style, Greek Byzantine religious style and Opera and modern western styles.
Abeer is a Qanun player (an oriental traditional instrument) and earned a bachelor degree with the highest ever earned grade in oriental singing from the USEK University (Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik). Her renown exceeded quickly the Lebanese audience to reach the Arab then the Greek and the Syriac international audiences.
As a professional in ethnic old music, Abeer interpreted, amongst other interpretations, a complete album of traditional Orthodox Syriac chants (a dialect of Aramaic) with the Syrian National Philharmonic Orchestra under the patronage of the Syriac Patriarch of Antioch, his Holiness Moran Mor Ignatios Zakka Iwas II.
As an Oriental modern singer, this elegant performer played the leading role in various musical plays.
Abeer participated as an honored guest amongst major superstars in international festivals throughout the world, and preformed as a soloist in several concerts accompanied by various International Philharmonic Orchestras among which the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Greece, Germany, Egypt, Tunisia etc. "Abirou Salati" (Aroma of my prayer) is a spiritual journey through different styles of music; from the old music traditions of the fathers of the church, traditions of prayer and profound spiritualism, to the modernism of the people of God in the twenty first century, a modernism of grandiosity and majesty.
Awards and titles
- 2000 The award of the Lebanese Diva Wadih Safi, Lebanon
- 2007 Honor Award from the Apostiliki Diakonia, Greece
- 2010 the Murex D'Or distinction award.
Theatre
In 2006, Nehme appeared with FairuzFairuz
Nouhad Wadi Haddad , famously known as Fairuz is a Lebanese singer who is widely considered to be the most famous living singer in the Arab world and one of the best known of all time...
in a play for the Rahbani Brothers
Rahbani brothers
The Rahbani Brothers , Assi Rahbani and Mansour Rahbani , were Lebanese composers, musicians, songwriters, authors, playwrights/dramatists, philosophers, and poets...
at the Baalbeck International Festival
Baalbeck International Festival
The Baalbeck International Festival is the oldest and best-known cultural event in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean. Since 1955, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have flocked to the city of Baalbek in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon to attend the annual festival...
.
In 2007, Nehme interpreted the leading female role in Andalusia, Jewel of the world, a play by Elias Rahbani produced by the royal family in Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
and Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned.
She is now playing the leading role in Elias Rahban’s play Ila
Ila
ILA or Ila may refer to:* MV Ila, ship in service 1947-52Places:* Ila, Georgia, community in United States* Ila, Trondheim, borough in Norway* Ila, Nigeria, townPersonal names:...
.
Movies
Nehme recorded all the songs of the Al-Bosta movie sound track produced by Dark Side Company and directed by Philippe Araktanji.Releases
2010: "Only The Desert Knows"2009: Aroma of My Prayer
Nehme released one CD titled Aroma of My Prayer that represents a panorama of the sacred music from the Syriac Orthodox to the Syriac Maronite to the Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
to the Armenian traditions till the contemporary religious chants of major composers.
2009: Bel Aks
Nehme is the main singer on Jean Marie Riachi's album Bil Aks released in 2009.
Her next release is a western music CD in English produced by Darren Michealson (21st Artist Century).
Performance
Vatican1998 and 2004: Paul VI hall, Basilica of St Peter (At the occasion of the beatification and canonization of Lebanese Maronite Monk Nehmetallah El Hardini).
2001: Multiple performances in concerts and ceremonies (At the occasion of the canonization of Lebanese Maronite nun Rafqa)
Germany
2002: Invited by the Embassy of Germany and the “Young Musicals”, Nehme participated during two weeks in the Master Classes and music workshop in Weikersheim. She was the only Lebanese performer in the event not only as a performer but also as a lecturer in Oriental music.
France
2002 and 2003: Concerts in Notre Dame de Paris, Avignon, Marseille, St Raphael, Nice
2007: In the context of the International Musical Festival and Conference at Royaumont- Paris, Nehme delivered a concert focusing on improvisation with the artist Zad Moultaka
Zad Moultaka
Zad Moultaka is a Lebanese composer and pianist.He attended the Conservatoire de Paris and has played at the Baalbeck International Festival. He worked with Fadia Tomb El-Hage in his 2009 album Visions.-Discography:*Anashid...
. Nehme was the main participant as well in a workshop addressing improvisation in tonal and atonal music.
Nehme delivered a concert with musicians from the Orchestra of Strasbourg: She was the only representative of the Arab world with the participation of the most important composers and musicians from around the World, especially Europe and the USA
Nehme taught a Master Class in Oriental Maqam and gave a concert representing the Lebanese traditional music and improvisation.
Great Britain
2003: A concert in London
Belgium
2004: A concert at Place Falgey international Festival- Brussels: Addressing Mouchahat
2004: A Concert at Evillerses : addressing Syriac and Lebanese music
Tunisia
2002: A concert with other major Tunisian soloists in the context of a joint musical project organized by USEK and the University of Tunisia. The concert was accompanied by the Tunisian National Philarmonic Orchestra.
2003: A concert organized by Masrah Al Madina addressing Lebanese and Arabic Music
2004: A Syriac music concert in the context of studies at the Congress of Tonal Music (with Ecume).
Egypt
2002 and 2004: 2 solo concerts at the opera of Cairo and Alexandria in the context of the congress of Arab Music.
Nigeria
2005: Two religious concerts in Lagos at the occasion of the presence of the relics of St Charbel.
Syria
2003: A solo concert accompanied by the Syrian Philharmonic National Orchestra at the occasion if the opening of the House of Opera. Abeer performed opera music as soprano.
2006: A solo concert accompanied by the Syrian Philharmonic National Orchestra at the Palace of Congress, to underline the Orthodox Syriac musical patrimony and reveal its treasures.The concert was first of its kind in the context of Traditional Music. A CD with the recording of the concert is to be released soon in Europe.
2007: A solo concert accompanied by the Syrian National Orchestra in the context of the 19th Bosra International Festival. An audience of 33,000 person attended the concert.
2008: A solo concert at the Palace of Congress with the Philharmonic National Orchestra, in the context of the festival of Damascus as a CAPITAL OF CULTURE of the Arab world
2007 and 2006: A solo concert at the Palace of Culture in Lattaquieh in the context of the “Agafi Festival”
Greece
2007: At the occasion of the anniversary of the “Apostoliki Diakonia”, Nehme was invited as a guest of honor to a major concert with the Philharmonic National Orchestra of Greece conducted by Kalkhanis Eleotherios at the “Megaro Mousiki” – the palace of music in Athens. Greek stars were participating in the concert as well: Marita Paparizo, Chronis Andronidis, and Yorgos Voukanos.
Australia
2008: A fundraising concert aiming to help the students of USEK. Other concerts in Sydney and Melbourne were delivered as well by Nehme addressing the religious chants of the Holy Week.
Iraq
2008: Due to the war in Iraq, the Iraqi youth were not allowed to travel and participate in worldwide day of the youth (JMJ (Journee mondiale de la jeunesse)). Hence, Nehme was the only singer who volunteered to go to Iraq. In order to give the Iraqi youth their chance to have their own worldwide day of the youth in Iraq. Accordingly, Nehme delivered many concerts in Kurdestan, Arbil, Karkook, Ain Kawa, Chaklawa, and Aradel.
Sweden
2008: Nehme delivered 2 concerts in Stockholm and Trolhaten addressing the Syriac and Lebanese musical heritage.
2010: Nehme delivered 2 concerts in Södertälje addressing the Syriac and Lebanese musical heritage.http://kulturdelen.nu/2010/tvatusenarig-musik-pa-estrad/
http://lt.se/kulturnoje/1.869946-varldsstjarna-gastar-estrad
Switzerland
2008: Nehme delivered a fundraising concert in Geneva for the help of children who have cancer in the context of the international Sabrina action.
Other
Many other concerts were delivered by Nehme in Bahrain, Dubai and Kuwait either for cultural or fundraising purposes.