A musical dialogue taking place between several Spanish and Lebanese musicians conceived by Spanish artist Nacho Arimany, who knows Lebanon well. Under the direction of Maestra Yasmina Sabbah, the concert will feature Lebanese singer Fabienne Daher and the Université St Joseph Choir, as well as a performance by a flamenco dancer from Spain.
“Roots in our Hands” is a colorful and moving journey where sound and movement become the expression of freedom and liberation. This open dialogue between traditional Spanish / flamenco music and Arabic music will immerse the audience in the roots of millennial cultures.
This original creation, which highlights the cultural exchanges that the Baalbeck Festival strives to encourage, is organized in partnership with the Spanish Embassy.
NACHO ARIMANY – MUSICAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, VOCALS, GUITAR AND PERCUSSION (SPAIN)
Before moving to USA in 2008, Nacho Arimany was chiefly known as one of Spain’s most sought after Flamenco percussionists. After touring globally with Flamenco stars like Rocio Molina, Rafaela Carrasco, Concha Jareño, Olga Pericet, Manuel Liñan, Belen Maya and Joaquín Cortés among others, Nacho Arimany started his own journey as a composer and solo artist in 2006, being featured at the premiere Gala of the 7th International Film Festival of Canary Islands with his first World-Jazz -Flamenco Show.
A year later, Nacho Arimany recorded in New York his first album “Silence-Light” with the Nacho Arimany World-Flamenco Septet that was praised internationally and considered one of the Top 10 jazz albums of the Year by All About Jazz. His solo career has been unstoppable for the past 15 years performing as a solo singer and percussionist in such venues and events like, Carnegie Hall , with the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra , Lincoln Center New York, Dolby Theatre Los Angeles, and as guest artist at the 2017 Latin Grammy POY Gala, among others.
AMIR JOHN HADDAD (EL AMIR) – GUITAR & OUD (SPAIN)
He is Spanish-German virtuoso flamenco guitar player and multi-instrumentalist. As a concertino and virtuoso is considered to be one of the Top outstanding flamenco guitarists of his generation. He is the only flamenco guitarist of his kind and level capable of playing many different music styles and different string instruments with an outstanding skill, mastery and virtuosity and still conserving the essence of flamenco and simultaneously being innovative and fresh. Mr. Haddad has also collaborated as flamenco guitarist with famous flamenco singers like Enrique Morente, Estrella Morente José Mercé , Diego El Cigala, Miguel Poveda and also great dancers like Antonio Canales and Olga Pericet among others.
He also won the first price for his music compostion at the 1999 Certamen Nacional de Coreografía de Danza Española Y Flamenco. In 2002 he was awarded with the Silver Medal of the Global Music Awards for his flamenco guitar album “Andalucía” Haddad has performed worldwide and has played at such venues as the Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican Center and the in London, the Town Hall in New York, Luna Park in Los Angeles, the Teatro Bellini in Palermo, and the Palau de la música and Teatro Tivoli in Barcelona In 2018 Mr. Haddad was called by Hans Zimmer to join the Global Tour of The World of Hans Zimmer as guitar soloist and has been his soloist since. He has also being featured in Hans Zimmer’s latest Film scores.
KAREN LUGO – FLAMENCO DANCER (SPAIN)
Given her unique movement and personal interpretation of flamenco dance Karen Lugo has received many awards during her artistice carreer. She was awarded First prize in Almeria’s Flamenco Festival, First place in Finland’s Flamenco Festival of Contemporary dance, Third place as choreographer of the XVII Spanish and Flamenco dance contest of Madrid and Best Choreography award Spring Film Festival of Barcelona. She participated as a soloist in “Sangre Nueva, Jóvenes Flamencos” Festival at the Teatro Español of Madrid, in the XIV Festival de Jerez, “Los Novíssimos” edition, Flamenco Festival Ibérica Contemporánea ̈, “Flamencos and Mestizos” SGAE foundation at the Sala Berlanga in Madrid, “Saintés Flamenco Festival “, “Vancouver Flamenco Festival “, among many others.
She is choreographer and soloist dancer in Juan Gómez Chicuelo last project called Caminos , Carles Denia ́s Cant Espiritual, Anna Colom ́s Cayana , Amir Haddad Quintet, and she collaborates with many musicians from many musical backgrounds. At the side of José Maldonado, she creates FRONTERAS, made for Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Co. touring among the USA with a special season in Joyce Theater in NY. At the moment she is working with her last show called “Golpe de Tierra” premiered in Barcelona, nominated to Best Soloist Show by the Premis de la Crítica d ́ Arts Esceniques Cataluñaemis de la Crítica d ́ Arts Esceniques.
MARIO RAHI – VIOLIN (LEBANON)
Born in Lebanon in 1983, Mario Rahi started the violin at a very young age. At 18, he pursued his In 2011, Mario Rahi was awarded his masters degree, with distinction, from the Accademia Nazionale Santa Cecilia with professors Domenico Nordio and SonigTchakerian. During his studies, Mario attended several master classes for solo, chamber and orchestral music with renowned professors such as Salvatore Accordo at the Accademia Chigiana of Siena. He was appointed concert master at the World Youth Orchestra from 2001 until 2010, and performed with famous and reputed Italian artists such as Bruno Giuranna and Marco Fiorini (chamber music), and Stefano Montanari (Baroque music). Moreover, Mario often appeared as soloist at the Grande Musica in Chiesa Festival, and numerous Baroque concerts. Later on, Mario was admitted to the Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra, established by the legendary filmmusic composer Ennio Morricone. Mario Rahi had the privilege of taking part in several of his concerts, festivals and recordings, performing contemporary and electronic music. Ambitious, Mario never ceased to widen his musical horizons and exploring new musical styles such as tango and Italian ethnic music. In fact, he joined two ensembles Il trio de la sombra and the Shining Quartet and performed regularly all over Italy and Europe.
Back to Lebanon at the age of 28, Mario has been part of the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra since 2011. He is currently a violin teacher at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music and Antonine School of Music. He also contributed to the development of the “Conservatory Youth Orchestra” that he has been coaching with great passion and dedication until today. Mario often appears as concert master in several international festivals in Lebanon and with concerts of university choirs such as NDU, St. Rafqa and USJ. Finally, Mario performs with chamber music ensembles and as soloist with renowned composers and conductors such as Naji Hakim.
YASMINA SABBAH / USJ CHOIR (LEBANON)
Yasmina Sabbah is a Lebanese choir and orchestra conductor who holds a Masters of Music in Conducting from the University of Cambridge. As one of the only female orchestra conductors in the MENA region, it remains her mission to break stereotypes by using her platform to elevate the image of Middle Eastern women in leadership positions and to empower young musical talents by fostering an open and inclusive mindset through the power of music. In July 2021, Yasmina Sabbah was appointed as conductor of the Firdaus Orchestra, a pioneering all-female musical ensemble developed exclusively for Expo 2020 Dubai under the patronage of Oscar-Winner A.R. Rahman. Set to perform at all major events and celebrations at the Expo, the orchestra brings together musicians of 23 nationalities from the MENA region to create an innovative sound by merging Western, Eastern, and Oriental instruments and performing a varied repertoire from classical western symphonic works to oriental and newly commissioned pieces.
The orchestra, under Sabbah’s baton, has performed at the Expo Dubai Opening Ceremony with international stars such as Andrea Bocelli, Anoushka Shankar, Shakira among others. Sabbah is also the Director of Music at the Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth and has led the Choeur de l’USJ since 2016. Founded in 2015 by Pr. Salim Daccache s.j., the USJ Choir has grown to include over seventy singers. Sabbah also directs the Ensemble Vocal Baroque de l’USJ, an advanced chamber choir specialized in early music. She has curated and conducted a large and varied repertoire ranging from Baroque to Contemporary music, most notably performances of Vaughan Williams’s “Dona Nobis Pacem”, Mozart’s “Requiem”, Handel’s “Messiah”, Haydn’s “Nelson Mass”, J.S. Bach’s “St. John Passion”, Jenkins’ “The Armed Man” along with many others. Increasingly recognized and praised for its nuanced musical interpretations, the USJ Choir places significant emphasis on musicality, meticulously shaded dynamics, and articulation. As a result, in its now seventh year, the choir has already earned its place next to the leading choirs in the region.
FABIENNE DAHER, ORIENTAL SINGER (LEBANON)
Recognized for the remarkable agility, precision and warmth of her voice, Fabienne Daher is a professional Lebanese singer whose debuted a very early age. She started taking piano and singing lessons at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music at the age of 7, and reached very advanced levels throughout the years. After her graduation from high school, Fabienne moved to USEK and got a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology and advanced courses in Human Resources. Furthermore, Fabienne holds a diploma in Oriental Singing from the Lebanese National Conservatory of Music (2013); she currently is a vocal coach there as well as in the Notre Dame University (NDU) and Qolo Music School. She participated in several performances with the Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental–Arabic Music, and in different concerts and tributes to legends such as: Fairuz, Oum Kalthoum, Asmahan, Warda, Sabah, Wadih Al Safi, Abdel Halim Hafez, Farid Al Atrach, Mouhamad Abdel Wahab, Salwa Al Atrib and others.
Among her latest appearances is a performance in Beiteddine International Festivals. She also performed in renowned venues such as Al Mandaloun, Sofar Grand Hotel, Phoenicia Intercontinental, CESSNA, BAHAY and more. She participated in several Christmas and Easter concerts and events as a solo singer with the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK). Fabienne was a pioneer in Theater as well, she interpreted the leading role of the “Samiriya” in a religious musical play – Oratorio – entitled “As Samiriya” – “The Samaritan Woman” – in 2009.
