Organizers of the International Oud Festival in Tetouan, Morocco, awarded the "Al-Ziryab" Skills Prize this year to Lebanese musician Mustafa Matar on Monday. Matar will receive the award, which is presented annually to an outstanding musician or artist, during the events of the 24th edition of the festival taking place from May 25 to 28.
According to a statement from the organizers, Matar is described as "a star in the field of refined music and one of the famous piano players," having studied under musical distribution and harmony giants before specializing in classical music.
The statement added that the Arab audience knows Matar through dramatic series such as "Death of Amira," "Al-Basha," and "Neither Before Nor After You," and he has arranged music for prominent artists in the Arab world such as Wael Kfoury, Melhem Zein, Joseph Attieh, Mohammed Assaf, Nancy Ajram, Elissa, Asma Lmnawar, and Balqees.
The festival's program includes an open meeting with Mustafa Matar, featuring Moroccan soprano Samira Qadri, and another meeting with Mohamed Zayer regarding his artistic experience. Matar will also present a musical performance with Moroccan artist Younes Fekhar.
The festival has previously awarded the "Al-Ziryab" Skills Prize to several distinguished musicians, including Lebanese Marcel Khalife, Iraqi Furat Qaddouri, Emirati Ali Obeid Al-Hafti, and Moroccan Naaman Lahlou.
