The Abu Dhabi Festival presented the world premiere of the collaborative musical work 'I Shall Travel Alone as a King' as part of the centennial of Lebanese composer Mansour Rahbani. The concert was recently held in Beirut. The distinguished musical work was produced in collaboration with composer and artist Osama Rahbani, and featured a performance by world-renowned soprano Hiba Tawaji, alongside the Ukrainian National Symphony Orchestra and the choir of Our Lady of Louvaise University in the historic Sacred Heart Church in the Gemayze district of Beirut. It was presented as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad program. Huda Ibrahim Al Khemiss, founder and artistic director of the Abu Dhabi Culture and Arts Foundation, said: 'We are celebrating a great figure and creator, Mansour Rahbani, the conscience of our Arab world and our shared humanity. He narrated the story of our creativity with noble humility and authentic poetry, with artistic leadership and unique music.' The work 'I Shall Travel Alone as a King' offers a broad artistic experience inspired by 34 poems by Mansour Rahbani. It blends the Western symphonic style with Eastern musical expression in an atmosphere with clear human and cultural connotations. The work highlights the profound influence of Mansour Rahbani on the Arab cultural and artistic landscape through themes that address sovereignty, resilience, human expression, and national pride.
