Farid El Atrache

A tenor with a golden voice and an eternal dark beauty, Farid El Atrache is one of Egypt's great artists, alongside diva Oum Kalsoum and composer Mohamed Abdelwahab, whom he would go on to surpass, particularly on screen, among Arab youth. His name circulated among Cairo's rising generation when a compatriot, the Lebanese Badiaâ Massabni, opened the doors of her famous cabaret to him at the beginning of the 30s, practically at the same time as she gave her chance to a promising oriental dancer, Samia Gamal, who would go on to form a legendary couple with Farid El Atrache, both on screen and in life, although the singer, who died unmarried in 1974, had notorious affairs which for years animated rumors and fueled the gazettes. His long career, which began with light-hearted songs such as "Ya ritni tar" ("Ah si j'étais un oiseau!"), blossomed with memorable concerts in which he showcased his talents as an instrumentalist. He began by playing the oud, then gradually moved on to singing, soliciting active participation from the audience, who were called on to respond to him with passion. B. D.

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