Paris — February 10:
Mazzika Orchestra brought the music of Fairuzto Paris’s Bataclan in a sold-out concert that drew both Arab and Western audiences. The evening felt like more than a performance. It was a shared celebration of songs that continue to travel across cultures and generations. The hall also welcomed unexpected guests from diplomatic circles, as well as artists and cultural figures.
Led by Maestra Amal Guermazi, and featuring vocalist Carla Ramia alongside several French musicians, Mazzika presented “Fairuziyat”, a programme of 23 songs from Fairuz’s repertoire. The selection included works by the Rahbani Brothers,Ziad Rahbani, Zaki Nassif, and others. The orchestra created new arrangements for the stage, drawing on styles such as jazz and bossa nova, while keeping the music’s original spirit intact.
Dr. Guermazi said the goal was to respect the songs as audiences know and love them, while giving them an orchestral shape that fits a large stage. “We stayed as close as possible to the original spirit,” she said. “For Ziad Rahbani’s works, we kept his arrangements as they are. For other pieces, we updated the orchestration without changing their Eastern identity.”
Mazzika said it chose Carla Ramiafor her control and clarity in live performance. The orchestra added that her style suits the demands of an orchestral concert and honours the character of Fairuz’s songs.
Dr Chady Hakme, the founder and manager of Mazzika Orchestra, said he was surprised by the number of requests that came in after the concert to present it again in other cities and countries. “Our love for Fairuz pushes us to present her songs at the highest musical standards,” he said. “This legacy can be interpreted in more than one way. What matters is respect for the work, and a deep understanding of its beauty.”
Mazzika previously presented a tribute to Fairuz two years ago, by official invitation from the French state, in a concert attended by more than 7,000 people. Today, the orchestra is among the few ensembles that present Fairuz’s repertoire as a full, dedicated concert programme.
At the end of the night, the audience stood and applauded for several minutes. It was a strong sign of how deeply these songs still connect with people. In one room, long-time listeners and first-time discoverers shared the same emotion—without needing words. That is the lasting power of Fairuz: music that continues to bring different worlds together.