Christmas Concert by Cairo Symphony Orchestra

21 December 2023

The Cairo Opera House, under the supervision of Dr. Khaled Dagher, continues its Christmas celebrations with a concert by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra at the Main Hall, on Saturday, 23 December 2023 at 8 p.m. Under the baton of Maestro Hisham Gabr and with the participation of the soloists Dalia Farouk (soprano), Jolie Faizy (mezzo-soprano), Amr Medhat (tenor), Reda El Wakil (bass), the Orchestra played Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 and Beethoven’s Mass in C major.
Both pieces have become enduring staples of the Christmas repertoire. The “Reformation” Symphony by F. Mendelssohn contains elements of religious struggle and triumph. Though catalogued as Mendelssohn’s fifth symphony, it is actually his second “full” symphony, written in 1829-30. On the other hand, Ludwig van Beethoven composed the Mass in C major, to a commission from Prince Nikolaus Esterházy II in 1807. The Mass, scored for four vocal soloists, choir and orchestra, was premiered in the same year in Eisenstadt, the ancestral seat of the Esterházys.
The Cairo Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1959 by the Austrian conductor Franz Litschauer. Since then, the Orchestra has contributed significantly in enriching Egypt’s serious musical scene by hosting world-famous musicians and supporting talents of Egyptian composers, instrumentalist and conductors. Throughout its history, the Orchestra has successfully incorporated international compositions into its repertoire, organized workshops with international trainers, and embarked on artistic tours worldwide.