A heartbroken international community is showing solidarity and support to Lebanon in lots of different ways after a recent explosion caused devastation across its capital, Beirut. Knowing how music binds people together in the most distressing times, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS) presented a virtual concert to support the ongoing relief and recovery efforts. And Lebanese soprano Tania Kassis and her team provided the optimal vocal accompaniment while joining the group that has been promoting the UN’s goals through the universal language of music since 2016.
The world-acclaimed singer, who is a United Nations Ambassador, performed one of her biggest hits, the “Islamo-Christian Ave Maria.” A collaboration with Lebanese composer, producer and arranger Michel Fadel, the original Giulio Caccini hymn is mixed with the muezzin "Allah Akbar.” Kassis, who has her own academy, provided one of the most anticipated moments of the event while singing the moving song with Maen Zakaria and Fares Massaad, alongside the strains of three violins, a cello and a piano. The songbird also belted out an enthralling solo while violins, a viola, a cello, bass and a piano played and she walked along the streets of the demolished capital. “Watani,” written and composed by renowned Lebanese composer Marwan Khoury, was undoubtedly the most fitting choice for the occasion. With a title that translates to “My Land,” the song was chosen as the “Best Patriotic Song” during the 2015 Murex D’Or awards.
During the event, which lasted just over half an hour, there were poignant opening messages from HE Amal Mudallali, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations, as well as Melissa Fleming, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, and Brenda Vongova, President of the UN Chamber Music Society of the UNCMS. Richard Blewitt, Permanent Observer and Head of Delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to the United Nations, shared a message too. Meanwhile, the other music that featured came from Edward Elgar, Layale Chaker and Johannes Brahms. Plus, viewers got to read a poem by Lebanese-American poet and writer Khalil Gibran.
About Tania Kassis
A Paris Conservatory graduate, Tania Kassis has enthralled fans all over the world with her amazing voice, earning her the Murex d’Or award for Lebanese Ambassador of International Theatres. The crossover singer, known for her multi-lingual pop-opera style, has performed in Sydney’s Opera House and at the Duomo Square in Milano, in front of an estimated 50,000 spectators. The Lebanese Accomplishment Medal recipient has also made waves at the legendary Olympia Hall in Paris, where she received four standing ovations, and while singing the South Korean national anthem during a sports event in Seoul.
Apart from her impressive singing career, Kassis is the Founder and President of ONE LEBANON, an apolitical cultural movement that brings people who believe in the importance of unity together. The mission of the organisation, which was launched in 2013, is to positively influence the collective attitude of Lebanese through cultural activities and providing a peaceful space where people can exchange ideas and dialogue respectfully.
Watch the virtual concert here
