Syrian singer Waddah Ismail passed away today, Thursday, after a long battle with a terminal illness. The Syrian Artists Syndicate, Damascus branch, mourned the late singer, who died abroad, on its official Facebook page, noting that he was a member of the syndicate as a singer and composer.
Waddah Ismail began his artistic career as an oud player before specializing in singing, studying music and vocal techniques under renowned musicians. Ismail achieved first place in the program "The Path of Stars" and served as the assistant head of the music department at Damascus Radio. He participated in numerous festivals both inside Syria and abroad.
He took part in the second, third, and fourth Syrian Song Festivals and won many awards, most notably the Ornena Award for Best Male Voice in 1994 and 1997. Ismail also participated in the fifth Arab Song Festival and represented Syria in Egypt, performing at the Cairo Opera House four times. Additionally, he represented his country at the City Festival in Tunisia, participated in the Arab Song Festival in Bahrain, and was involved in all five sessions of the Palmyra Tourism Festival, along with various television shows and musical theater productions.
