JEDDAH: Search giant Google marked what would have been the 86th birthday of late Egyptian opera singer Ratiba El-Hefny on Saturday with a Google Doodle featuring the famed artist.
The doodle showcases famed Arab soprano’s “love for the piano, her encouragement of young musical talent, and her excellence in Arabic and classical music,” Google said.
In 1961, Cairo’s Khedivial Opera House opened its doors to the general public for a special performance — Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow,” translated into Arabic and performed by El-Hefny.
The performance opened the world of opera up to every Egyptian and was the launching pad for a career that saw El-Hefny complete more than 500 operatic performances, winning fame and recognition at home and abroad.
El-Hefny learned to play piano at a very young age, achieving professional proficiency.
She was also adept at traditional folkloric instruments including the qanun and oud. Her fluency in classical and Arabic music led to operatic performances in Egypt and across Europe.
German lieds were another of her specialties. She was one of those rare artists to have mastered both Arabic and Western music.
She was the first chairperson of the new Cairo Opera House when it began its activities in 1988, a position she held until 1990.
El-Hefny died on Sept. 16, 2013.
Google celebrates late Arab soprano Ratiba Al-Hefny with doodle
Google celebrates late Arab soprano Ratiba Al-Hefny with doodle
Elysee Palace silver steward arrested for stealing thousands of euros’ worth of silverware
- The Sevres Manufactory — which supplied most of the furnishings — identified several of the missing items on online auction websites
- Investigators later found around 100 objects in the silver steward’s personal locker, his vehicle and their home
PARIS: Three men will stand trial next year after a silver steward employed at the official residence of the French president was arrested this week for the theft of items of silverware and table service worth thousands of euros, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.
The Elysee Palace’s head steward reported the disappearance, with the estimated loss ranging between 15,000 and 40,000 euros (($17,500-$47,000).
The Sevres Manufactory — which supplied most of the furnishings — identified several of the missing items on online auction websites. Questioning of Elysee staff led investigators to suspect one of the silver stewards, whose inventory records gave the impression he was planning future thefts.
Investigators established that the man was in a relationship with the manager of a company specializing in the online sale of objects, notably tableware. Investigators discovered on his Vinted account a plate stamped “French Air Force” and “Sevres Manufactory” ashtrays that are not available to the general public.
Around 100 objects were found in the silver steward’s personal locker, his vehicle and their home. Among the items recovered were copper saucepans, Sevres porcelain, a René Lalique statuette and Baccarat champagne coupes.
The two were arrested Tuesday. Investigators also identified a single receiver of the stolen goods. The recovered items were returned to the Elysee Palace.
The three suspects appeared in court Thursday on charges of jointly stealing movable property listed as part of the national heritage — an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a 150,000-euro fine, as well as aggravated handling of stolen goods.
The trial was postponed to Feb. 26. The defendants were placed under judicial supervision, banned from contacting one another, prohibited from appearing at auction venues and barred from their professional activities.
