As the vibrant city of Beirut awakens to another year of cultural richness and diversity, Beirut Chants 2023 is poised to encompass 25 days from November 30, offering free entrance for all. Beirut Chants festival stands as a beacon of hope and unity, transcending the boundaries of language and culture through the universal language of music.
In the heart of a city famed for its resilience and spirit, Beirut Chants emerges as a symphony of peace, harmony and artistic expression. This year, the celebration encompasses not only the timeless beauty of choral and spiritual music but also the indomitable spirit of Beirut, which continues to thrive in the face of a panoply of challenges.
Beirut Chants 2023 stands as a testament to the city’s enduring love for the arts, bringing together an eclectic mix of local and international musicians, choirs and performers. From the hallowed halls of historic churches to open-air venues under the Mediterranean sky, the festival offers a melodic journey through sacred hymns, classical masterpieces and contemporary compositions. Each performance serves as a dialogue of melodies, echoing the city’s rich tapestry of history, culture and faith.
Be a part of this musical odyssey, where every note resonates with the soul of Beirut, and every harmony tells a story of resilience, hope and the unifying power of music. At Beirut Chants 2023, the music speaks, the soul listens and the heart of Beirut beats stronger than ever.
Program
November 30, 2023 | 8:00 PM
St. George Maronite Cathedral
G. Puccini Messa di Gloria & L.V. Beethoven Choral Fantasy
Antonine University Choir
Notre-Dame University Choir
Lebanese Orchestra
Armenian State Symphony Orchestra
Joseph Dahdah, Tenor
Cesar Naassy, Baritone
Kyubin Chung, Piano
Toufic Maatouk, Conductor
Opening Concert
December 1, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Beirut Souks, Downtown
Abeer Nehme
December 2, 2023 | 8:00 PM
St. Maron Church, Gemmayzeh
Stories / Bridging Traditions
Ziad el Ahmadie – Oud and composition
Mounir Mahmalat – Cello
Bahaa Daou – Percussion
December 3, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Assembly Hall, AUB
100 years of Maria Callas
LE DIV4S – Italian Sopranos
Davide Dellisanti, Piano
In collaboration with the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute
December 4, 2023 | 20:00
St. George Maronite Cathedral
Notre-Dame Jamhour Choir
Marc Reaidy, Tenor
Manal Assaf, Soprano
Cecilia Hage, Alto
Manal Assaf, Conductor
Notre-Dame de Jamhour Choir
December 5, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Assembly Hall, AUB
Kyubin Chung
In collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Kyubin Chung, Piano (First prize of Tokyo International Music competition)
December 6, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Gulbenkian Amphitheater, LAU
Lebanese Trio Concert
Mario Rahi, Violin
Ayad Khalife, Piano
Sary Khalife, Cello
December 7, 2023 | 8:00 PM
St. Maron Church, Gemmayzeh
In collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic
Michal Kaňka, Cello
Jaromír Klepáč, Piano
December 8, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Beirut Souks, Downtown
The Real Deal Blues Band
Elie Abi Farah, Vocals & Guitars
Nidal Abi Samra , Keyboards & Saxophone
Elio Hachem, Drums
Faysal Itani, Bass
Fares Sokhon, Harmonica
Hani Alayli, Guitars
December 9, 2023 | 6:00 PM
The National Evangelical Church
The Birth of Hope
Gargatch Children Choir of Hamazkayin
Verona Rousialian, Piano
Kevin Yousif, Piano
Shoghig Torossian, Conductor
December 9, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Beirut Souks, Downtown
Matteo El Khodr, Coutertenor
December 10, 2023 | 6:00 PM
St. George Orthodox Cathedral
St. Romanos the Melodist Choir of Beirut
In memory of Abdallah Tamari
Fr. Romanos Joubran, Conductor
December 10, 2023 | 8:00 PM
St. Elie Church, Kantari
A Tenor’s Christmas
Bechara Moufarrej, Tenor
December 11, 2023 | 8:00 PM
National Evangelical Church of Beirut
Khalil Chahine & Louisa El Khoury
Khalil Chahine, Organ
Louisa El Khoury, Soprano
December 12, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Beirut Souks, DownTown
Maqams and Rhythms
Firas Andary
December 13, 2023 | 8:00 PM
St. Joseph Church, Monnot
Jesus, The Son of Man
Musical Piece for Choir, soloists and Orchestra based on Kahlil Gibran’s book
Henri Zgheib, Text adaptation
Iyad Kanaan, Music
Philokalia Choir
Sr. Marana Saad, Conductor
December 14, 2023 | 8:00 PM
St. Maron Church, Gemmayzeh
Pablo Barragán & Nuron Mukumi
In collaboration with the Embassy of Spain
Pablo Barragán, Clarinet (First prize winner of the Prix Crédit Suisse Jeunes Solistes 2013)
Nuron Mukumi, Piano
December 15, 2023 | 8:00 PM
St. Joseph Church, Monnot
30th Anniversary Celebration
Notre Dame University Choir
Khalil Rahme, Conductor
December 16, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Beirut Souks, Downtown
Carole Samaha Sings Christmas
December 17, 2023 | 6:00 PM
First Armenian Evangelical Church
Beirut Chants El-Sistema
In collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden
December 18, 2023 | 8:00 PM
St. Elie Greek Catholic Cathedral
St. Stephanos the Melodist Choir
Dr. Alain Osta, Conductor
December 19, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Beirut Souks, Downtown
Fayha National Choir
Maestro Barkev Taslakian, Conductor
December 21, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Assembly Hall, AUB
Jonathan Fournel in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Lebanon
Jonathan Fournel, Piano (First Prize at Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition; First Prize at Scottish International Piano Competition)
December 23, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Beirut Souks, Downtown
Guy Manoukian
The program is subject to change, so please keep monitoring the official website for updates.
