Egyptian singer Mai Farouk took to the stage of the ancient Carthage Theatre yesterday evening for the second time, delivering an exceptional night of authentic Arabic tarab to an enthusiastic Tunisian audience. She was accompanied by renowned Tunisian maestro Mohamed El Aswad, marking a renewed artistic collaboration following their previous encounter at the Dougga Festival in Tunisia.
Hours before the concert began, the ancient theatre’s stands were already filling up, reflecting the strong anticipation surrounding the performance. Mai Farouk presented a rich selection of some of the finest classics of Arabic music, moving effortlessly through the musical worlds of Oum Kalthoum, Warda, Abdel Halim Hafez and Najat Al Saghira. With her expressive and powerful voice, she brought the spirit of the golden age of Arabic song back to the Carthage stage while adding her own distinctive interpretation to each piece.
The evening also featured a tribute to the late Egyptian singer Hany Shaker, as Mai performed his celebrated song “Nesyanak Saab Akeed” in a heartfelt gesture of appreciation for one of the prominent voices of Arabic music.
The musical chemistry between Mai Farouk and maestro Mohamed El Aswad was evident throughout the evening. Their collaboration created a seamless dialogue between voice, orchestra, and musical direction, keeping the audience fully engaged for more than two and a half hours. El Aswad’s assured conducting and refined musical sensibility provided the ideal setting for Mai’s powerful vocal performance.
In a special gesture to Tunisia and its audience, Mai Farouk also presented a new song dedicated to Tunisia and expressing her longing and affection for the country. Composed by Mohamed El Aswad, the song was offered as a musical gift to the Tunisian audience, adding a distinctly personal touch to the evening and further highlighting the artistic connection between the Egyptian singer and Tunisia.
Mai Farouk was visibly impressed by the Tunisian audience, praising its appreciation of music and its ability to sing in tune and with remarkable accuracy. In a spontaneous and playful moment, she addressed the audience saying: “Da soutkom ahla men souti”, prompting a warm and enthusiastic response from the packed theatre.
Speaking at a press conference following the concert, Mai Farouk expressed her deep affection for Tunisia and her happiness at reconnecting with the Tunisian audience. She also spoke warmly about her artistic experience with Mohamed El Aswad, praising his professionalism, his smooth approach to collaboration and the ease of working with him. She also left the door open to the possibility of renewed artistic cooperation between them in future projects.
The success of the evening was not limited to its artistic dimension. The concert also stood out for its high level of organization and careful attention to detail, particularly as it was a private event that required precise coordination and close follow-up. The media arrangements were handled with notable professionalism by journalist Karima Oueslati, who coordinated the press side of the event efficiently and professionally, ensuring favorable working conditions for media representatives and facilitating communication with the artist and her team. Her contribution reflected clear experience and a strong understanding of the requirements of managing media relations at major artistic events.
With a voice capable of reviving the memory of authentic Arabic tarab and a maestro who knows how to create the perfect musical space around it, Mai Farouk’s second appearance at Carthage offered an evening rich in emotion, artistry and musical elegance — one in which the audience was not merely a spectator, but an integral part of the experience.
TunisianMonitorNews (By : Douha Essaafi)
