Lebanese singer Jahida Wehbe is taking her theatrical concert project “Divas” across a multi-country tour spanning Lebanon, Europe, and Canada this autumn, bringing dramatic storytelling and poetry to international stages following her summer performances in Budapest.
The Bottom Line
- The Tour: Jahida Wehbe’s “Divas” project heads to Byblos, Europe, and Canada.
- Key Collaborators: Features musical direction by Simon Tarabay, movement art by Sahar Abi Khalil, and performances by Elie Kamal, alongside poetry readings by Majda Dagher.
- International Reach: Follows a recent collaboration with Omar Bashir in Budapest and sets up a November stop at the Arab World Festival in Montreal.
Bringing Theatrical Song to the Historic Streets of Byblos
The autumn touring circuit kicks off on September 26 at 8:00 PM inside the ancient Armenian orphanage building during the “Sound of the Theater” festival in Byblos, Lebanon. According to regional cultural reporting, this performance marks a fresh chapter for the “Divas” project that Wehbe has developed over several years.
Audiences might recall the project’s high-profile appearance earlier this year at the conclusion of the “Divas: From Oum Kalthoum to Dalida” exhibition at the Sursock Museum. But the Byblos staging trades museum walls for a theatrical musical format. Songs weave directly into acting and narrative threads, constructing a dramatic line that deliberately moves away from the constraints of a standard, static concert.
Wehbe will share the stage with a musical ensemble led by Simon Tarabay. The production also features specialized movement art contributions from Sahar Abi Khalil and artistic turns by Elie Kamal, grounding the musical repertoire in a multidisciplinary framework.
Poetic Interludes Across European Capitals
Before taking the Byblos stage, the artist—frequently dubbed the “poem of singing” by regional critics—travels to Europe. She is slated to anchor two distinct poetry evenings on the continent.
These European stops include dates in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Vienna, Austria. Poet and media figure Majda Dagher will join Wehbe for these literary-musical gatherings, bridging classical Arabic verse with modern vocal performance for European audiences.
This European leg builds on a busy summer schedule. Last month, Wehbe teamed up with composer and musician Omar Bashir for a major concert in Budapest.
Crossing the Atlantic for the Arab World Festival in Montreal
The collaboration with Omar Bashir does not end in Hungary. The duo is actively preparing a joint artistic tour across Canada this fall.
That North American itinerary kicks off officially at the Arab World Festival in Montreal on November 6.
| Event / Stop | Location | Key Collaborators / Details |
|---|---|---|
| “Sound of the Theater” | Byblos, Lebanon (Sept 26) | Simon Tarabay, Sahar Abi Khalil, Elie Kamal |
| European Poetry Evenings | Bosnia & Herzegovina / Vienna | Majda Dagher |
| Budapest Concert | Budapest, Hungary (Last month) | Omar Bashir |
| Arab World Festival | Montreal, Canada (Nov 6) | Omar Bashir (Joint Tour Opener) |
Drop a comment below to let us know if you plan to catch any of these upcoming tour dates.
