Amidst peace and war, the stairways of Beiteddine Festivals were opened each year, standing above shells and bullets, leading to years of prosperity until they completed forty years filled with Lebanese and international art.
The Beiteddine Festivals lit its fortieth candle with an operatic opening presented by Egyptian-French artist Farah Al-Dibani, featuring a selection of classical melodies and songs. After nearly four years of the worst economic crisis in Lebanon, festival attendees have begun to adapt to the dire circumstances, rising above collapse to embrace joy and culture, according to the festival's president, Nora Jumblatt. Jumblatt considered the 2023 season a definitive proof of the revival of life in Lebanon amidst economic collapse.
According to an official report distributed by the festival management, Beiteddine achieved record numbers by organizing around 500 events, hosting over 6,600 artists and musicians, with more than 700,000 audience members attending at the historic palace. A special program was prepared for the opening, featuring artistic works by prominent stars from the Arab world, such as Fairuz, Asmahane, and Dalida. The Egyptian diva sang "To Beirut, with Love from My Heart," much to the excitement of the audience.
Festival performances take place at the palace of Prince Bashir, considered one of the architectural masterpieces, approximately 200 years old. With her mezzo-soprano voice, Al-Dibani performed global operatic pieces, including several excerpts from the opera Carmen and the opera Samson and Delilah, accompanied by Lebanese maestro Bassem Baalbaki leading the orchestra. Al-Dibani is the first Egyptian singer to join the Paris Opera Academy in 2016 and was awarded the French Order of Arts and Letters by the French Embassy in Cairo at the rank of Knight.
On July 22, the Beiteddine Festivals will host a musical encounter combining Flamenco and Eastern melodies in two parts. The first part features the "Chiquillo" band and guitarist and band founder Juan Gomez, accompanied by a dance and music ensemble. The second part will see Lebanese pianist Guy Manoukian return to Beiteddine's stage for the second consecutive year.
Jazz Night will be celebrated on July 25 in the palace's inner courtyard, featuring top jazz artists in Lebanon. The first part of the concert will be performed by Donna Khalife, a composer and musician with her group, while the second part features pianist and composer Arthur Satyan and his band.
On July 27, American-Lebanese artist Maysa Qara will hold a concert that blends pop, rock, and Arabic music, led by Jordanian composer and violinist Yarab Samirat, with an appearance by Lebanese composer and oud player Charbel Rouhana. Qara is a Grammy Award-nominated singer and songwriter.
Closing the festival on August 2, 3, and 5 will be the Arabic adaptation of the global musical "Chicago." "Chicago in Arabic" is the first licensed Broadway musical presented in Arabic, authored, designed, and directed by Lebanese Roy Khoury, featuring Lebanese actors including Mirva Qadi, Cynthia Karam, Fouad Yamin, Yumna Bou Hadeer, Matthew Khader, and Elias Christophoridis.
