BEIRUT, LEBANON – As musicians continue to face the consequences of the many socioeconomic and political crises in Lebanon, the American University of Beirut (AUB) Neighborhood Initiative with the The Zovighian Partnership Public Office have launched the “Giving Voice to Music” initiative to create safe and public spaces for music to be amplified and celebrated. On Saturday, May 13, award-winning and virtuoso musicians took the stage at the AUB Assembly Hall to give a collaborative and intimate performance to an audience of patrons of the arts, diplomats, educators, doctors, and society at large.

Assembly Hall overflowed with a full-house audience of over 600 people who gathered to celebrate the musical talents. 

Curated and commissioned by business leader and social investor Lynn Zovighian, the concert featured award-winning international opera soprano singer Maria Mattar; pianist and conductor Armen Ketchek; violinist Rita Asdikian; violist Rania Kallab; cellist Angela Hounanian; and the Fayha National Choir led by choirmaster Maestro Barkev Taslakian; with Zovighian who returned to the stage as a soprano opera singer after a 16-year hiatus. The concert was also supported by the Saadallah and Loubna Khalil Foundation.

The night featured an immersive repertoire of instrumental overtures, opera, and choral music by William Gomez, Barsegh Kanachian, Zaki Nassif, Jacques Offenbach, Giacomo Puccini, Antonio Vivaldi and more.  The concert proved to be delightful as the audience enjoyed the performances and started applauding altogether, chanting for an encore.

Lynn Zovighian welcomes the Fayha National Choir on stage at the inaugural concert of “Giving Voice to Music.”

“The AUB Neighborhood Initiative has been organizing cultural events to re-enliven Ras Beirut and bring joy to people in these difficult times. We are proud of our collaboration with The Zovighian Partnership, hoping that this is one of many to come.” said Mona Hallak, Director of the AUB Neighborhood Initiative, in her opening remarks. “Giving Voice to Music” is a true partnership, bringing together the immense talent of musicians in celebration of national musical treasures in Lebanon,” she added.

The cultural economy in Lebanon, like so many other sectors, has significantly contracted, leaving musicians largely alone to fend for themselves.

“As a family and business, we are deeply committed to bringing out the voices of communities. This time, we are honored to join such incredibly talented Lebanese musicians who are persevering every day against the many crises in Lebanon,” said Michel Zovighian, Co-founder and Chairperson of The Zovighian Partnership.

 Lynn Zovighian shared: “Music is a toolkit that teaches us how to maintain high standards of excellence, relentlessly deliver, and work as a team. These are the values our country needs to rebuild and move forward.”

Many musicians have struggled to build successful careers in Lebanon. Today, they face economic displacement with the loss of livelihood; cultural displacement because their raison d'être cannot compete with other humanitarian priorities; and identity displacement as more join the permanent tidal waves of brain drain.

The Fayha National Choir performed folkloric and iconic Arabic and Armenian music at the inaugural concert of “Giving Voice to Music,” led by Maestro Barkev Taslakian.

“Our goal is to show talented Lebanese youth that music in Lebanon has a future. Our students, for whom we have taught music for many years, should not be disappointed: they can find in such concerts their motivation to grow professionally and continue their musical careers in Lebanon,” explained Ketchek, who is also a professor at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music and a consultant at the Ministry of Culture.

Taslakian, who has led the Fayha National Choir to perform in many concerts around the world, said, “Working with citizens and musicians allows us to strengthen and celebrate our national musicianship. The members of the Fayha National Choir are a support system for each other and our audience. It is in these times that we need to care for each other more than ever.”

Soprano singer Maria Mattar performs “Ahwak” by Zaki Nassif with the Fayha National Choir at the “Giving Voice to Music” concert on May 13.

Mattar, who is also an opera judge in l’Opera Europe and an orchestra conductor, added, “The joy and enthusiasm of our audience is a heartwarming reminder that beautiful music has been missed in Lebanon, and we were very delighted to bring to AUB Assembly Hall an uplifting performance from the heart.”

Lynn Zovighian thanked all musicians for their incredible team effort to inaugurate “Giving Voice to Music” with bouquets of local Lebanese roses.

Zovighian invited all musicians and audience members to sing “Koullouna lil-ouṭaan lil ou'la lil a'lam” in a closing tribute at the launch of the “Giving Voice to Music” initiative, singing the Lebanese National Anthem together with the audience.

“We must not leave our musicians behind,” said Zovighian. “It is my hope that this concert will encourage patrons of the arts to join us and support the quests of our musicians to establish sustainable livelihoods and maintain the highest standards of excellence and national team spirit.”

View the concert video teaser.

For Arabic click here.
For French click here.

The Zovighian Partnership is a family-owned social investment platform, established by father and daughter in 2013. Deeply invested in R&D, we are committed to delivering ethical, inclusive, and innovative design, research, and prototypes.

The Zovighian Partnership Public Office is committed to delivering significant resources to bringing grounded methodology, sound governance, and rigorous strategic thinking to communities and cities in crisis. We hold ourselves accountable to giving voice to the diversity of views that are central to long-term and sustainable peace and socio-economic enablement.