Egypt Mourns Lebanese Diva Sabah
Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Badr al-Din Zayed extended his condolences on Thursday to the Lebanese and Egyptian people on the death of famed Lebanese singer Sabah who “was a cultural and artistic bridge between the two countries,” the National News Agency NNA said.
“She had great contributions that influenced artistic life in Egypt and the Arab world,” said Zayed noting “Sabah was an important and prominent connection in the artistic and cultural life between Egypt and Lebanon.”
Sabah, who held an Egyptian, Jordanian, U.S., and Lebanese citizenships, passed away at dawn on Wednesday aged 87.
Born Jeanette Gergis al-Feghali, the diva was famous across the Arab world for her powerful voice, musical talent and joyful brazenness and is considered among the last of the "giants" — a crop of celebrated Lebanese singers that represent a golden age, including Fayrouz, Wadih el-Safi, Nasri Shamseddine and others.
She was born in the small Lebanese village of Bdadoun, and produced more than 3,000 songs and appeared in more than 90 films and over 20 stage plays.
Sabah was the first Arabic singer to perform at Sydney Opera House, Albert Hall in London, Carnegie Hall in New York and Olympia in Paris.
She brought out her first song in 1940, while her parallel screen career began three years later in Egypt, the center of the Arabic film industry.
Sabah was nicknamed "shahroura," Arabic for "singing bird" and "the Sabbouha," a diminutive for "Sabah" by millions of fans across the Middle East.
She was universally admired for her love of life and positive outlook even in her old age.
The funeral procession will be held at 11:00 am on Sunday at the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Downtown Beirut while condolences will be accepted at the cathedral on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
D.A.
G.K.
Source: Agence France Presse, Associated Press
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