A spectacular one-night-only performance, Abdelwahab, will take place at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Sunday 23rd November 2025 at 7:30pm.
This unique concert celebrates the legacy of Mohamed Abdelwahab, the father of modern Arabic music, whose influence has shaped generations of musicians and audiences worldwide.
Award-winning soprano Fatma Said, conductor Nader Abbassi, and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will unite to pay homage to Abdelwahab’s immortal musical heritage.
Mohamed Abdelwahab is one of the most famous figures in Egyptian and Arabic music history. His career as a singer, composer, and actor spanned seven decades, revolutionising classical Arabic musical structures and introducing modern styles.
Abdelwahab collaborated with and mentored superstar singers such as Umm Kulthum and Abdel Halim Hafez, and acted as a musical bridge between the Middle East and the West by incorporating Western instruments, rhythms, and styles into his compositions.
The concert, curated with the guidance of The Abdelwahab Estate and producer Mona Khashoggi, will feature Abdelwahab’s own songs as well as his compositions for other legendary Arab artists.
Vocal performances from Fatma Said and instrumental performances by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will celebrate Abdelwahab’s unique fusion of cultures and his deep appreciation for classical music.
Abdelwahab’s contributions extended beyond music to Arabic and Middle Eastern cinema, including producing, composing, and acting in films such as El Warda Al Baida (The White Rose, 1933) and making an iconic cameo in Ghazal Al Banat (The Flirtation of Girls, 1949).
Fatma Said, performer, comments, “Abdelwahab played a very big role in my life since my childhood and has had a very big influence on my classical music career. I’m very excited to collaborate with the Abdelwahab family on this very exciting project that will introduce his music in a new light, introducing Abdelwahab and Opera together.”
Mona Khashoggi, producer, adds, “My speciality has been reviving cultural stories from the Middle East and bringing them to international audiences and the young generation. My passion has always been to promote the art, culture and music of the Middle East. After having successfully produced and wrote the West End musical: Umm Kulthum & The Golden Era, which premiered at The London Palladium in March 2020 and touring for its 5th year, it is with pleasure that I co-produce this unique concert with the Abdelwahab Estate that features Fatma Said and Nader Abbassi.”
Omar Khalil, Head of The Abdelwahab Estate, says, “Bringing Abdelwahab’s music to London through the eyes and ears of his family is a dream come true. And doing so at the iconic Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Fatma Said, Nader Abbassi, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, and Mona Khashoggi makes it a little extra special. Abdelwahab held classical music very close to his heart and we are filled with excitement to present his music in a symphonic way while maintaining the identity of his timeless compositions.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
