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Fairuz: Legendary Voice of Lebanon

© Aida Hasan

Listening to her voice always takes me back to my early childhood. When dad played her cassette tapes in the car on long drives and family outtings. I didn't always understand the lyrics back then as a child, but I thought there must be something special about this singer for dad to play her songs so often. I learned later, of course, just how magnificent a talent she is. She shared cassette playing time in our car with the other greats of the Arab world-- Abdul Haleem al-Hafeth, Fareed Al-atresh, Oum Kalthoum, Sabah, and Abdel Wahab. And now, when I play her songs, there is a great feeling of familiarity and personal connection. But it isn't a feeling of familiarity with the singer, the person. For, I've known very little about her. It is, instead, a return to a feeling. Fairuz (pronounced "Fay-rooz") has that kind of effect on her listeners. She takes them back to another time, another place; a part of themselves that maybe has been lost in the activities of everyday life. Her voice, pure and soulful, has enchanted the ears of millions of Arabs around the world since the 1950's. And today, this Lebanese legend appeals to the children and grandchildren of her earliest fans.

But who is Fairuz?

Probably part of Fairuz's appeal, and certainly for me, is that she has never really been a very public figure compared to some other performers. Although she has appeared in plays and movies, she is a singer first. And because she maintains a privacy and dignity in her personal life, her voice becomes even more magical and mysterious to her listeners. Her audience no doubt appreciates the celestial voice of this legend, as she soothes their ears with songs of love, loss, and patriotism. It is said that one of the most gratifying things for Fairuz as a performer is to look out into the sea of faces at her concerts and spot a lone audience member completely absorbed in the enjoyment of the music. Perhaps because she sees in that individual the love of music she herself holds.

Fairuz's voice has been described as "distinct", "celestial", "elegiac" and "expressing romantic love and nostalgia". She is considered a diva certainly in the Arab world but even internationally. There are a number of resources on Fairuz which discuss her personal life off the stage, and the details of her life. The internet also contains a few biographies. What is talked about even more often, however, is her talent, her contribution to Arabic music. And most importantly, how she has made-and continues to make-people feel with her legendary voice.