JEDDAH: Ghassan Rahbani, Lebanese composer, orchestra conductor, pianist, and singer, regaled his fans on Friday at a classical music night.
The concert was coordinated by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) in Juman Theater on the Red Sea waterfront in King Abdullah Economic City.
It started around 8 p.m. with a dinner followed by a piano performance by Rahbani and the accompanying orchestra.
The multitalented artist, who was raised in a family of musicians led by his late uncles Assi Rahbani and Mansour Rahbani, and by his father Elias Rahbani, told Arab News: “I’m really happy to perform here and proud to be involved in Saudi Arabia’s efforts in promoting art and culture.”
The artist said that throughout his upbringing, he felt close to Saudi Arabia as he grew up among Saudi counterparts who regularly visited Beirut: “I feel enthralled to be performing here to a Saudi audience, as I’m familiar with their appreciation of music and art, and for that reason it feels both new and familiar to be performing in Jeddah.”

Concert organizer Zaki Hasanain shared with Arab News his delight and excitement at the GEA’s support in the promotion of similar events. “We were the first to propose the concept of dinner with live music, and we’re excited to witness it and take part in this cultural change.”
Raghda, one of the concert’s young Saudi attendees, told Arab News: “This is my first concert, and It’s both strange and enthralling to witness it happening in my home country.”
Ali, another attendee, said: “I hope to see more artists coming in in the future. The GEA is doing its best to include entertainment in our culture and the events being hosted are quite interesting.”