Ragheb Alama promises new album by end of summer

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-06-23

[FILE] 'Superstar' artist Ragheb Alama will play a number of summer festivals in 2010.

Superstar Ragheb Alama will cap his summer with a new album containing a collection of songs in multiple dialects. His calendar also includes dates for summer concerts and festivals in the Maghreb countries.

Alama is also giving special attention to environmental matters, based on his capacity as Ambassador for Environmental Issues on behalf of the United Nations.

Al-Shorfa spoke recently with Ragheb Alama:

Al-Shorfa: Let us start this interview with your preparations for the new album; how are these preparations coming along? And when will this album see light?

Alama: The album is now at very advanced stages of preparation, and we are currently overseeing the technical matters in the studios between Lebanon, Egypt and Dubai. And since my audience is accustomed to my delivery of the best quality work at the level of lyrics and melody, I am collaborating with some of the most brilliant composers and poets in the Arab world. The album will come out at the end of the summer season.

Al-Shorfa: What new songs are you offering in this album? Alama: The new aspect I am presenting is the variety of dialects between the Lebanese, Egyptian and the Gulf dialects, as well as the selection of the subject matter, and the quality of the musical arrangement.

Al-Shorfa: In the past you have produced your own work, in spite of the offers you have received from Rotana and Melody and other production companies. Why this insistence on private production?

Alama: This is not true, as I will sign the next album with Backstage Productions, which will be the exclusive producer of my work. I will not accept any offer from any other company as a result of the successful experience I have had with this company.

Al-Shorfa: You have been on tour in the United Sates, what is the impression you came back with?

Alama: I went to the United States to hold only one concert and it was in the MGM World Hotel in Detroit. The concert was one of the finest concerts I have held in 2010. This concert left a very distinctive impression in terms of the participation of audience members who have came from various parts of the United States.

Al-Shorfa: Will you be performing at any summer festivals?

Alama: I will be touring the Middle East and North Africa and Tunis, and this tour will include some popular festivals that will be announced at a later time.

Al-Shorfa: Do you have a desire to participate in the Baalbek festival?

Alama: Baalbek International Festivals are artistic and cultural festivals of the first degree. These festivals strive to harmonize the cross-fertilization between art, culture and civilization through the personalities it hosts. But I don't believe that my summer programme for this year will include the Baalbek Festivals.

Al-Shorfa: What about your duties as an ambassador for Environmental Issues on behalf of the United Nations?

Alama: I have participated and I still participate in conferences sponsored by the Lebanese Minister of the Environment, Mr. Mohamad Rahhal, and that includes the conference that was held under the slogan "Think about what you will leave for your children…your legacy is your environment" to launch the International Week for the Environment for the year 2010.

I have also promised to participate in future activities of the Ministry of the Environment that will be announced at a later time, and it will set an example for environmental activities in our Arab world.

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