Mohamed Abdelwahab was a prominent twentieth-century Egyptian actor and musician who composed nearly 2000 pieces of music during his lifetime. Extensively involved in film work, he blended classical Arabic music with Western orchestral styles to develop a repertoire that is highly treasured across Egyptian society. At a special concert organised by the Abdelwahab Estate, this lively music was performed on a grand symphonic scale before a knowledgeable and appreciative audience at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Some 52 members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra were joined by five talented musicians from the London Arab Orchestra under the direction of the renowned Egyptian conductor Nader Abbassi. Vocal duties were performed by the marvellous Egyptian soprano Fatma Said, who delivered breathtaking renditions of Abdelwahab’s songs that repeatedly brought the audience to their feet. Said is an award-winning singer with an impressive résumé. She was the first Egyptian soprano to sing at La Scala in Milan, and the power, clarity, and emotion in her delivery electrified the auditorium.
Anyone outside the Arab world may not have heard of Abdelwahab’s work, but that doesn’t mean it is unfamiliar. As soon as the orchestra began playing, I was instantly transported to a world of classic films as the music evoked memories of Lawrence of Arabia, James Bond movies, heist films, comedy capers, The King and I, and even Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Each arrangement contained hints of familiar melodies, but each one felt uplifting rather than derivative, with the symphonic treatment of the RPO seamlessly blending with the exotic sounds of the oud, tablah and qanoun.
Between some of the songs, a voice-over using Abdelwahab’s voice prompted further responses from the audience. Not being an Arabic speaker, I missed this, but the welcoming crowd were happy to translate for me, and they all felt it must be A.I. as Abdelwahab passed away in 1991.
The sold-out theatre was filled with an eager audience, including Abdelwahab’s family, various dignitaries, and a large portion of the Egyptian diaspora in London. The atmosphere was electric, and it was heartening to hear the waves of excitement ripple through the crowd as a favourite piece began to play. Even the Egyptian Ambassador was clapping enthusiastically and recording parts of the concert on his phone.
The end of the first half was particularly moving, with Fatma Said singing the popular song Ana Lak A’la Toul. It had been her dream, she told us, to sing this very romantic piece in Italian, and she achieved this with complete aplomb in front of a very emotional audience, her strong, powerful voice cracking just momentarily with genuine sentiment. Later, Said, who was born the same year that Abdelwahab passed away, went on to thank her father for introducing her to this music, and I met other young people in the audience who were coming back to the music of their parents and grandparents with a newfound respect for the foot-tapping melodies and jubilant sound.
It’s not often that I witness a standing ovation after the first half of a show, and I wondered whether the concert would lose momentum after a 20-minute break. It did not – and continued to impress. My new Egyptian friends in the audience advised me to watch out for La Mosh Ana-L-Akbi, which, indeed, was a hit. The bar was raised even further as the audience started joining in, and the conductor turned around to cue the clapping as if we were at the Vienna New Year’s Day concert!
Ultimately, I feel honoured to have been at this concert. The music surpassed all cultural barriers, and the concert was a truly wonderful and moving experience.
Review by Fiona Gilbert
A symphonic journey through the music of the father of modern Arabic music, Mohamed Abdelwahab, with the amazing Fatma Said and the brilliant Nader Abbassi.
ABDELWAHAB
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
23 November 2025
