Fairuz
in Concert – February 2005 A FairuzOnline.com Exclusive!!
Montreal, Canada – With a frenzied audience longing for their
Diva, Fairuz’s much anticipated performances at the Place
des Arts took place on February 12th and 13th. The concert on Saturday
began about 60 minutes late but many of the audience members commented
“We waited 24 years for her return, what is another 60 minutes?”
Appearing in a black sequined dress and simple straight golden locks
(reminiscent of her recent Amman performance), Fairuz opened her
concerts with “Fi Ahwe ‘al Mafra’”. Collective
cheers and gasps followed as many in the audience were transformed
back in time to the land they left long ago.
Accompanied by 22 musicians and 7 chorus members, this was Fairuz’s
historic return to Montreal. The orchestra, which included musicians
from both Lebanon and Armenia, was beautifully conducted by Mr.
Karen Durgarian, Fairuz’s conductor since 2000.
The concert program included mostly nostalgic numbers, including
Assi’s masterpiece “Hamra Stteihatek”. The legendary
singer also performed Ziad’s latest “Ya Di’annou”
for her grand finale.
After a short intermission, Fairuz returned in a beautiful honey-colored
sequined dress, moving the audience to tears with “Sanarji’ou”.
Her symbolic gestures and extended arms signaled to many an invitation
to return home. For a people scattered on every continent, Fairuz
will always be a symbol of unity and humanity.
Fairuz ended the concerts with three well selected encores. Her
final performance of “Hanna Essekran” brought the entire
crowd to their feet as they cheered for her to return. With an elegant
bow and a salute to her loyal audience, she disappeared behind the
curtains amid deafening applause.
Fairuz and her entourage departed Montreal on Monday to return
to Beirut.