Religious Songs, Supplications and “El Leila El Kebira” by Talents Development Center*

14 September 2024

The Cairo Opera House, under the supervision of Dr. Lamiaa Zayed, hosts a special artistic event at the Main Hall on Monday, 16 September 2024 at 8:30 p.m. featuring the Youth and Children’s Choir of the Talents Development Center, under the artistic supervision of Dr. Sameh Saber.
During the first part of the evening the Youth and Children’s Choir, trained and conducted by Dr. Mohamed Abdel Sattar, presents a selection of religious songs, supplications and praises of Prophet Mohamed.
The second part of the evening features “El Leila El Kebira” Performance by the Talents Development Center ballet class, choreographed and directed by Aisha Fouad and accompanied by the Youth and Children's Choir.
The music of “El Leila El Kebira” is composed by the renowned musician Sayed Mekkawi, with lyrics by Salah Jaheen. It was first performed in the 1960s at the Puppet Theatre in Cairo. Later, Dr. Abdel Moneim Kamel transformed it into a ballet after the music was rearranged by composer Gamal Salama. The puppets were freed from their strings in a more dynamic performance while preserving the original concept, which revolves around the celebrations of a traditional Egyptian religious festival. The updated version achieved great success when presented in its new form.
The Talents Development Center was established with the aim of promoting artistic taste and supporting talented individuals in various fields of art. The Center includes multiple departments such as piano, guitar, ballet, opera and Arab singing, flute, violin, oud, qanoun, oriental violin, ballet, and tap dance. Recently, classes for individuals with special abilities were added. The Talents Development Center participates in various celebrations organized by the Cairo Opera House, along with holding concerts featured by its students on a regular basis.