Artist
Marcel Khalifé
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Marcel Khalifé was born on June 10, 1950 in Amchit, Lebanon. He studied the Oud (the Arabic lute) at the Beirut National Conservatory of Music and graduated in 1971, and, ever since, has been injecting a new life into the Oud.
From 1972 to 1975, Marcel Khalifé taught at the Beirut National Conservatory of Music, public Universities and other local private music institutions. During that same period, he toured the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the United States giving solo performances on the Oud.
Oud playing was traditionally constrained by the strict techniques that governed its playing. Highly talented and skillful musicians such as Marcel Khalifé were, however, able to free the instrument from those constraints and thus greatly expanding its possibilities.
In 1972, Marcel Khalifé created a musical group in his native village, Amchit, with the goal of reviving its musical heritage and the Arabic chorale. The first performances took place in Lebanon. 1976 saw the birth of Marcel Khalifé's Al Mayadine Ensemble. Enriched by the previous ensemble's musical experiences, Al Mayadine's notoriety went well beyond Lebanon. Accompanied by his musical ensemble, Marcel Khalifé began a lifelong far-reaching musical journey, performing in Arab countries, Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, and Japan.
Marcel Khalifé has been invited several times to festivals of international fame such as: Baalbeck, Beit Eddine (Lebanon), Carthage, El Hammamat (Tunisia), Timgad (Algeria), Jarash (Jordan), Arles (France), Krems, Linz (Austria), Bremen (Germany), Re Orient (Sweden), Pavia (Italy), World Music Festival in San Francisco, New York, Cleveland (USA), Wellington Music Festival (New Zealand) and the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco.
He has performed in such prestigious halls as the "Palace of Arts" in Montreal, "Symphony Space" and "Merkin Concert" in New York, "Berklee Theatre" and "New England Conservatory" in Boston, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, "Royal Festival Hall", and "Queen Elizabeth Hall" in London, "UNESCO Palace" of Beirut, Cairo Opera House (Egypt), "Reciprocity", "House of the Cultures of the World" and "UNESCO Hall" in Paris, "Central Dionysia" in Rome, "Yerba Buena" in San Francisco, "Sodra Teatern" in Stockholm, "Bozar" in Brussels, Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam, Konzerthaus in Berlin, "Detroit Symphony Hall" in Detroit, "Sydney Opera House", "The Arts Centre" in Melbourne, Australia, “The Champs Elysees Theater” in Paris and the “Teatro Alla Scalla Milano” in Italy.
He has also composed several purely instrumental works like The Symphony of Return, Sharq, Concerto Al Andalus- Suite for Oud and Orchestra, Mouda'aba (Caress), Diwan Al Oud, Jadal Oud duo, Oud Quartet, Al Samaa in the traditional Arabic forms and Taqasim, duo for oud and double bass which was awarded the Grand prize of the prestigious Charles Cros Academy in France in November 2007. One of his recent works, Sharq, a choral symphonic composition was performed by the Italian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Piacenza Choir. His latest work, “Arabian Concerto”, premiered at the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra inaugural concert and was performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and the Champs Elysees Theater in Paris.
Marcel Khalifé's compositions have been performed by several orchestras, notably the Kiev Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of Boulogne Billancourt Orchestra, The San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of the city of Tunis, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Italian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra and the "Absolute Ensemble".
Since 1982, Marcel Khalifé has been writing books on music that reflect his avant garde compositions and the maturity of his experience. He published Al Samaa, a collection of compositions for various traditional Arab musical instruments (1981), a six part methodology for the study of the Oud (1982), and Arabic Music-Theory and Practice (French Edition, 1984), Jadal oud Duo (1996), OUD (1997), Andalusian Suite for oud and Orchestra (2002).
His challenges, however, are not only musical in character. Interpreter of music and Oud performer, he is also a composer who is deeply attached to the text on which he relies. In his association with great contemporary Arab poets, particularly Palestinian poet par excellence, Mahmoud Darwish, he seeks to renew the character of the Arabic song, to break its stereotypes, and to advance the culture of the society that surrounds it.
Marcel Khalifé's lyrical and instrumental recordings add up to more than 20 albums and DVDs, Promises of the storm (1976), Rain Songs (1977), Where from, do I Enter the Homeland? (1978), Weddings (1979), At the Borders (1979), Stripped Bare (1980), Happiness (1981), The Bridge (1983), Collections - 3 Albums (1984), Dreamy Sunrise (1984), Ahmad Al Arabi (1984), Peace Be With you (1989), Ode To A Homeland (1990), Arabic Coffeepot (1995), Jadal Oud Duo (1996), Magic Carpet (1998), Concerto Al Andalus (2002), Caress (2004), Voyageur DVD (2004), Taqasim (2007), Sharq CD & DVD (2007).
On his journey, Marcel Khalifé invents and creates original music, a novel world of sounds, freed of all pre-established rules. This language elevates him to the level of an ambassador of his own culture and to the vanguard of Arabic music in search of innovators.
In June 2005 Marcel Khalifé was named UNESCO Artist for Peace for his artistic achievement and humanitarian contributions.
In 2008, Marcel Khalifé helped in the establishment of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) and was named as its music director and resident composer.
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Dhahran
2023
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December
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
02:30 PM | The Arena Riyadh
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
08:00 PM | The Arena Riyadh
SILENT NIGHT
09:10 PM | RITZ
SILENT NIGHT
09:40 PM | VOX
THREE LITTLE KUNGPOO GOATS
04:00 PM | VOX
Shamareekh
06:20 PM | RITZ
Yesterday after tomorrow
03:10 PM | RITZ
Dear Jassi
06:15 PM | VOX
Hiding Sadam Hussein
03:25 PM | VOX
Behind the Mountains
09:40 PM | VOX
JEANNE DU BARRY
04:25 PM | VOX
FRESH KILLS
10:55 PM | VOX
THE LAST SNOW
08:00 PM | VOX
MIX GROOVE - 1 DAY PASS
07:00 PM | Praia Beach
MIX GROOVE - 2 DAYS BUNDLE
Praia Beach
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
02:00 PM | The Arena Riyadh
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
07:30 PM | The Arena Riyadh
AFTER THE LONG RAINS
06:55 PM | VOX
THE SEA AND ITS WAVES
06:40 PM | VOX
Dear Jassi
09:25 PM | VOX
Hiding Sadam Hussein
06:55 PM | VOX
Behind the Mountains
03:55 PM | VOX
Inshallah a Boy
06:25 PM | VOX
MOTHER, COUCH
09:40 PM | VOX
FRESH KILLS
09:25 PM | VOX
THE LAST SNOW
03:30 PM | VOX
KHALED EL SHEIKH: BETWEEN THE THORNS OF ART AND POLITICS
09:20 PM | RITZ
CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET
03:30 PM | RITZ
MILES FROM NOWHERE
06:15 PM | VOX
SIROCCO ET LE ROYAUME DES COURANTS D'AIR
04:00 PM | VOX
THE SEA AND ITS WAVES
04:25 PM | VOX
IRAQ'S INVISIBLE BEAUTY
06:55 PM | VOX
Shamareekh
06:10 PM | VOX
Yesterday after tomorrow
09:30 PM | VOX
Inshallah a Boy
09:40 PM | VOX
EVIL DOES NOT EXIST
04:00 PM | VOX
24 HOURS WITH GASPAR
09:50 PM | VOX
ALLIHOPA: THE DALKURD STORY
07:15 PM | VOX
WOMAN OF THE HOUR
09:40 PM | VOX
To My Son
05:55 PM | RITZ
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
07:30 PM | The Arena Riyadh
SOUTH AFRICA EATS
05:55 PM | VOX
MILES FROM NOWHERE
02:05 PM | VOX
FEZ SUMMER 55'
06:10 PM | VOX
IRAQ'S INVISIBLE BEAUTY
09:25 PM | VOX
ME & AYDAROUS
09:25 PM | VOX
SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
09:25 PM | VOX
THE WOODLAND
06:55 PM | VOX
ACCIDENTALLY INTENTIONAL
04:25 PM | VOX
IN BETWEEN
06:55 PM | VOX
TERRA MATER - MOTHERLAND
06:55 PM | VOX
THE LATE WIND
09:25 PM | VOX
SIX FEET OVER
03:55 PM | VOX
THE UNIVERSAL THEORY
05:30 PM | VOX
24 HOURS WITH GASPAR
03:25 PM | VOX
HESITATION WOUND
09:10 PM | VOX
FOUR DAUGHTERS
08:20 PM | RITZ
Tea & Snack Expo
06:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Coffee & Chocolate Expo
06:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
07:30 PM | The Arena Riyadh
SOUTH AFRICA EATS
03:25 PM | VOX
FEZ SUMMER 55'
03:55 PM | VOX
IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT
09:40 PM | VOX
THE CALL OF THE BROOK
07:25 PM | VOX
SMOKEY EYES
04:55 PM | VOX
EID MUBARAK
07:25 PM | VOX
PRIMETIME MOTHER
04:55 PM | VOX
THE COURIER
04:55 PM | VOX
THE LAST WINTER
04:10 PM | VOX
STREET 105
09:55 PM | VOX
SALEM'S LEGS
09:55 PM | VOX
HADI ALEIS
04:10 PM | VOX
SIX FEET OVER
07:25 PM | VOX
TIGER STRIPES
03:40 PM | VOX
Tea & Snack Expo
02:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Coffee & Chocolate Expo
02:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
INSIDE THE YELLOW COCOON SHELL
06:05 PM | VOX
ME & AYDAROUS
04:10 PM | VOX
SMOKEY EYES
09:40 PM | VOX
SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
04:10 PM | VOX
PRIMETIME MOTHER
09:40 PM | VOX
THE COURIER
09:40 PM | VOX
THE LATE WIND
04:10 PM | VOX
THE OLD SCHOOL
03:25 PM | VOX
THE MENACE FROM ABOVE
03:25 PM | VOX
THE LAST THREAD
03:25 PM | VOX
JAMEEL ALSAEED
03:25 PM | VOX
FIASCO RUN
03:25 PM | VOX
TIGER STRIPES
08:40 PM | VOX
THE MOTHER OF ALL LIES
06:40 PM | VOX
ALLIHOPA: THE DALKURD STORY
03:25 PM | VOX
DANCE FIRST
09:55 PM | VOX
MARS EXPRESS
06:10 PM | VOX
SNOW IN MIDSUMMER
09:40 PM | VOX
THE DELINQUENTS
08:10 PM | VOX
LOST LADIES
09:25 PM | VOX
Back To Alexandria
06:25 PM | VOX
A NOSE AND THREE EYES
10:30 PM | RITZ
Fever Dream
04:50 PM | RITZ
Tea & Snack Expo
02:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Coffee & Chocolate Expo
02:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT
03:00 PM | VOX
INSIDE THE YELLOW COCOON SHELL
07:40 PM | VOX
THE CALL OF THE BROOK
02:55 PM | VOX
THE WOODLAND
03:40 PM | VOX
ACCIDENTALLY INTENTIONAL
05:15 PM | VOX
EID MUBARAK
02:55 PM | VOX
IN BETWEEN
03:40 PM | VOX
TERRA MATER - MOTHERLAND
03:40 PM | VOX
FOUR DAUGHTERS
05:25 PM | VOX
Back To Alexandria
06:25 PM | VOX
THE MOTHER OF ALL LIES
06:10 PM | VOX
THE UNIVERSAL THEORY
08:15 PM | VOX
HESITATION WOUND
02:00 PM | VOX
LOST LADIES
04:25 PM | VOX
Tea & Snack Expo
02:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Coffee & Chocolate Expo
02:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
PRISCILLA
09:05 PM | RITZ
Bernadette
07:45 PM | VOX
SIROCCO ET LE ROYAUME DES COURANTS D'AIR
07:00 PM | VOX
THE OLD SCHOOL
09:25 PM | VOX
THE MENACE FROM ABOVE
09:25 PM | VOX
THE LAST WINTER
07:05 PM | VOX
THE LAST THREAD
09:25 PM | VOX
STREET 105
04:55 PM | VOX
SALEM'S LEGS
04:55 PM | VOX
JAMEEL ALSAEED
09:25 PM | VOX
HADI ALEIS
07:05 PM | VOX
FIASCO RUN
04:55 PM | VOX
A NOSE AND THREE EYES
07:50 PM | VOX
Inshallah a Boy
10:10 PM | VOX
SNOW IN MIDSUMMER
09:00 PM | VOX
THE DELINQUENTS
09:15 PM | VOX
WOMAN OF THE HOUR
10:00 PM | VOX
Tea & Snack Expo
02:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Tea & Snack Expo - The TickFlex
Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Coffee & Chocolate Expo
02:00 PM | Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Coffee & Chocolate Expo - The TickFlex
Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
The Boy and the Heron
08:18 PM | RITZ
THREE LITTLE KUNGPOO GOATS
04:45 PM | VOX
AFTER THE LONG RAINS
07:00 PM | VOX
EVIL DOES NOT EXIST
06:45 PM | VOX
MOTHER, COUCH
09:15 PM | VOX
THE MOTHER OF ALL LIES
09:30 PM | VOX
DANCE FIRST
07:45 PM | VOX
MARS EXPRESS
10:00 PM | VOX
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