Tunisian superstar bridges generations with unprecedented duets and cutting-edge technology at sold-out Roman amphitheater
In a night that fused ancient history with futuristic innovation, Tunisian singing sensation Saber Rebaï unveiled his ambitious musical fresco “Under the Jasmine” before a capacity crowd at the Roman amphitheater, marking a spectacular opening to the 60th International Festival of Carthage.
The Thursday evening performance represented Rebaï’s 23rd appearance on the legendary stage, but this time the “Prince of Arab Song” delivered something radically different: a meticulously crafted production centered on intergenerational transmission, featuring unprecedented collaborations and artificial intelligence technology.
“This night, we celebrate not just 60 years of a festival, but 60 years of a nation’s memory,” Rebaï declared to the roaring audience. “Carthage’s true message isn’t about replacing one generation with another, but passing the torch from hand to hand without ever letting it extinguish.”
From Sfax to Stardom: A Homecoming Celebration
The spectacle opened with a video retrospective tracing Rebaï’s journey from his native Sfax to pan-Arab superstardom, before transitioning to a multinational orchestra under the baton of maestro Kais Melliti, bringing together musicians from Tunisia, Algeria, and France.
The first half of the concert unfolded as a musical time capsule, with Rebaï navigating through his catalog from early albums to recent releases. The audience transformed into a collective chorus, belting out classics including “Ezz el Habayeb,” “Tmanit,” “Bibassata,” and his megahit “Barcha,” alongside “Mathalt el Hob alya,” “Ezzet nafsi,” and “Meziana.”
The artist also seized the occasion to unveil two new creations: “Tayer,” a Lebanese-dialect pop number by Salah Balloul and Ahmad Baraka praised for its summer rhythm, and the show’s namesake “Under the Jasmine.” This bilingual French-Arabic composition, with lyrics and music by Rebaï himself, has been hailed by Arab music critics as a “romantic and fluid fusion” between both languages, weaving nostalgic imagery of Tunis’s traditional Medina alleys with modern arrangements by Hamdi Mehairi.
Bridging Generations Through Music
The evening’s emotional core materialized through a series of duets designed to connect Tunisia’s musical past with its future. The most poignant moment arrived during a tribute to late diva Dhekra Mohamed. Following a playback of her vocals on “Elassami,” Rebaï was joined by his nephew Ahmed Rebaï and rising star Molka Cherni for an unprecedented trio. The performance was enhanced by AI-generated visuals projecting the late singer’s likeness among the amphitheater’s ancient stone tiers. The trio continued with the classic “Yom lik w youm alik.”
Legendary Tunisian figure Lotfi Bouchnak then took the stage in traditional jebba attire, delivering “Ritek ma naaref win” and “Ya Dalloula” alongside Rebaï. The latter, a timeless favorite etched into every Tunisian’s memory, received a powerful reinterpretation with Rebaï’s distinctive vocal instrument at full force.
Emerging talents Boutheina Nabouli and Mohamed Ali Chebil joined the pair, forming a quartet that delivered a heritage suite honoring Tunisia’s golden age of music, performing “Mahabitech,” “Ydhik bik eddahr ya meziena,” “Ah weddaouni,” and “Lamouni elli gharou menni.”
Cheb Khaled Surprise Steals the Show
The evening’s biggest surprise came when “King of Rai” Cheb Khaled made an unannounced appearance alongside Rebaï. The two icons blended Tunisian and Algerian rhythms, performing their respective global hits “Sidi Mansour” and “Abdelkader ya Boualem.” The duet comes just two days before Khaled’s own sold-out Carthage performance scheduled for July 18.
A Visionary’s Testament
Speaking at a post-concert press conference, Rebaï declared the International Festival of Carthage—which continues to draw intense cultural media and public interest—”the most important festival in the world.”
“More than just a stage, Carthage represents history, glory, memories, joy, but also an audience, a responsibility, and tremendous work,” he confided, describing the honor and burden of opening this anniversary edition as both immense privilege and heavy responsibility.
The artist revealed that this ambitious project was assembled in an “extremely short timeframe,” praising his team’s responsiveness to the technical demands of such a significant opening. Accompanied by his nephew Ahmed Rebaï, the singer-composer emphasized that “Under the Jasmine”—which he personally supervised at every creative stage alongside his artistic direction team—was designed to encapsulate his vision and celebrate six decades of the festival.
His intention, he explained, was to convey that Carthage embodies past, present, and future while passing the torch to young artists to walk persistently in the footsteps of their elders.
The 60th edition festivities, featuring twenty major performances, continue in Tunis through August 19.
TunisianMonitorNews
