This is Beirut

Hans Zimmer to Rearrange Saudi National Anthem as Part of Cultural Reforms

This is Beirut, 25/01 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Saudi Arabia has enlisted Hans Zimmer, the Oscar-winning German composer known for his film soundtracks, to "rearrange" (meaning to reorchestrate) its national anthem, a senior official from the kingdom announced. The artist, recognized for his iconic works such as those for The Lion King, The Dark Knight trilogy, and Dune (2021), has agreed to ...

Manel Mallat Brings Edith Piaf’s Legacy to Life at Casino du Liban

Marie-Christine Tayah, 24/01 18:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Music Concert Singer Lebanon Beirut Culture

Manel Mallat will take the stage at Casino du Liban on February 7 and 8, 2025, to perform Mon Hymne à Piaf, a tribute to the iconic Edith Piaf. Orchestrated by Danny Bou-Maroun and produced by Cats Production, the show is directed by Kristian Abouanni. This musical celebration promises to bring Piaf's timeless legacy to life, with ...

Timothée Chalamet Steps into Bob Dylan’s Shoes

This is Beirut, 24/01 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Music Film Cinema Culture Art Actor

Hollywood's prodigy, Timothée Chalamet, embodies the iconic folk artist Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, a biopic that earned eight Oscar nominations. Directed by James Mangold, known for Walk the Line and Le Mans 66, the film focuses on Dylan's early years in 1960s New York, a time when he carried a guitar on his back and shared ...

Ravel’s Boléro: A Timeless Masterpiece Shadowed by Heirs’ Greed

Alain E. Andrea, 23/01 16:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Art Music Ravel France

In 1928, at a time when the artistic world was in full effervescence and musical experimentation was at its peak, Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) composed his Boléro (M.81), a work that would quickly become one of the most famous pieces of Western 20th-century art music. Commissioned by the Russian dancer Ida Rubinstein for a ballet, the piece ...

Bob Dylan’s Words, Music and Influence Transcend Generations

Madeleine Cadoux, 12/01 19:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Music Culture Art Singer Composer Writer

Bob Dylan remains an unparalleled force in music and culture, influencing generations through his profound lyrics and innovative sound. From his iconic songs to his unexpected ventures, Dylan’s legacy continues to shape the artistic world. With upcoming auctions and new releases, his timeless influence endures, reminding us why he’s a true ...

'Cornucopia': Björk’s Visionary Blend of Art and Environmental Advocacy

Madeleine Cadoux, 12/01 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Music Book Culture Art Paris

Björk continues to push boundaries in art, music, and environmental advocacy with several groundbreaking initiatives this year. Her latest accomplishments include the release of Cornucopia: The Book, a meticulous documentation of her five-year Cornucopia tour. Designed by M/M Paris and featuring photography by Santiago Felipe, the book showcases ...

'Freekeh' Explores Grief Through Theater, Cooking, and Music

Marie-Christine Tayah, 09/01 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Music Theater Cooking Culture Performance Art

In Freekeh: It’s Been 40 Days Since My Aunt Passed Away, Hiba Najem delivers an immersive experience that combines theater, cooking, and memory. Inspired by the traditional forty-day mourning ritual, the performance explores the emotions tied to grief and the evolution of family traditions. Accompanied by Samah Boulmona on the accordion, Freekeh ...

At 80, Rod Stewart Continues His Rocking Music Legacy

This is Beirut, 09/01 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Music Celebration Culture Art Singer Concert

Singer Rod Stewart, who helped British rock conquer the world with a string of megahits, turns 80 on Friday — with no plans to slow down. Stewart, with his distinctive spiky blond hair and raspy voice, dominated pop charts during the 1970s and 1980s with hits like Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? and Young Turks, amassing more than 250 million record sales ...

Legendary Folk Musician Peter Yarrow Passes Away at 86

This is Beirut, 08/01 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Culture Music Art

Peter Yarrow, the iconic American musician of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 86 in New York after battling bladder cancer for four years, his agent confirmed to AFP. His daughter, Bethany, expressed in a statement: "Our indomitable dragon is tired and has begun the final chapter of his magnificent ...

Pierre Boulez Centenary: Reviving the Avant-Garde and Shaping Tomorrow’s Sound

This is Beirut, 07/01 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Art Artist Music France

2025 will be marked by the celebration of the centenary of Pierre Boulez, a major composer of 20th-century contemporary music. Through concerts, unpublished editions, and commissions to current composers, the music scene will pay tribute to this genius of the avant-garde, an essential figure in music and pedagogy, as well as a builder of cultural ...

iCloud Hacking Compromises Coldplay's Unreleased Music Among Other Singers' Creations

Madeleine Cadoux, 05/01 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Culture Music Art Artist Composer Singer

In a case that underscores the fragility of digital privacy and the sanctity of creative work, a 22-year-old hacker, Skylar Dalziel, exploited online vulnerabilities to access unreleased tracks from renowned artists such as Coldplay, Shawn Mendes and Bebe Rexha. The thefts began in 2021 when Dalziel hacked into cloud storage accounts linked to ...

Cape Town’s Streets Alive for Historic Minstrel Carnival

This is Beirut, 05/01 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Africa Culture Art Music Carnaval Heritage

Cape Town’s historic streets erupted in a riot of color and music on Saturday, January 4, as thousands of costumed minstrels paraded through the city’s center in an exuberant celebration of cultural heritage and resilience. This annual carnival, deeply rooted in the city’s history of slavery, drew large crowds and cemented its reputation as ...

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