For several months, the great Lebanese soprano Nadine Nassar has been traveling across Europe to support her devastated country. Passing through the Montpellier region, she is performing in concert this Saturday, February 19 in the Saint Louis church in Bédarieux. for a voice and harp duet with the young prodigy Zoé Buyck.
A solidarity concert whose proceeds will be donated to music schools in Beirut.
Faced with the nature of the Hérault hills which somewhat resemble those of her native Lebanon, Nadine Nassar evokes a situation that has become untenable for the battered Lebanese people. In addition to the gigantic explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, which killed more than 200 people and injured 6,500, there is a deep economic and social crisis. “There was the corona, the explosion, the corruption of politicians, the country is like a child who is not educated”, note the musician.
Guardian of the temple of classical and oriental musical culture, the nearly century-old Lebanese Conservatory has shown remarkable resilience to the world, by continuing the concerts of its two orchestras and by training student musicians free of charge.
Despite the multifaceted crisis, 5,600 students are enrolled today in the various branches of the Conservatory. But today, they need their working tool. It is in this sense that the action of Nadine Nassar is precious. “I have already done concerts in Poland and Belgium which have enabled us to raise money and a foundation has offered us twenty wind instruments but we are still missing instruments of music”explains the opera singer.
Saturday evening, the soprano will sing in French and Arabic accompanied by Zoé Buyck, a young 14-year-old harpist from Millau. “Being myself a student at the conservatory, this situation in Lebanon touches me”, confides the musician. Together, they will perform a classical repertoire with works by Bellini, Chopin, Debussy or Gershwin, as well as Lebanese melodies.
Concert by Nadine Nassar and Zoé Buyck – Saturday February 19, 2022 at 6 p.m. at the Saint-Louis church in Bédarieux.
Free entry.