The Cairo Opera House Theatres

Alexandria Opera House "Sayed Darwish Theatre"

The Alexandria Opera House was constructed in 1918 during the reign of Sultan Fuad I and
named “Mohamed Ali Theatreâ€‌. The original owner was Badr El Din Kerdany who had
appointed French architect Georges Baroque to do the design.

Following its inauguration in 1921, the theatre was host to celebrated Arab and foreign
singers. In 1962 the theatre was renamed “Sayed Darwish Theatreâ€‌ in honour of this
pioneer of Arab music. Unfortunately, the ravages of time destroyed the exquisite beauty
of the building and earlier attempts at restoration did in fact more harm than good.

In 2000, the badly neglected building was put on Egypt’s Heritage List and extensive
renovation work began. After several years of skilful work on the structure of the building
and the highly fragile decorative elements the theatre was restored to its former
splendour. In 2004, the President and Mrs Hosni Mubarak attended the reopening of the
Sayed Darwish Theatre.

Today, it accommodates artistic performances by the Cairo Opera House companies such
as the opera and ballet companies, the symphony or opera orchestras, the different Arab
music ensembles, and the modern dance theatre. There are visiting companies, local and
foreign recitals, Cultural Weeks, and Arab and international festivals.

In order to promote ballet, classical and Arab music talents, the Alexandria Opera
Company for Arab Music and Singing was established as well as the Talents Development
Centre. There, the most prominent educators and academic professors are teaching and
setting up performances with young Egyptian talents.

http://www.cairoopera.org/ecalendar/index.aspx

Sayed Darwish (Arabic: ‫ ;سيييد درويييش‬March 17, 1892 – September 15, 1923) was an
Egyptian singer and composer who was considered the father of Egyptian popular music.
He was born in Alexandria on March 17, 1892. He put music to the Egyptian national
anthem, Bilady, Bilady, Bilady, the words of which were adapted from a famous speech by
Mustafa Kamil.

Darwish died of a heart attack in Alexandria on September 15, 1923 (aged 31).[1]
Coincidentally, on the day of his death, the national Egyptian leader Saad Zaghloul
returned from exile; the Egyptians sang Darwish's new song "Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" which
was to become the national anthem in 1979.

Egyptians consider Sayed Darwish to be among their greatest musicians and their single
greatest composer. In addition to the songs mentioned above, he composed "Shed el
hezam" ("Pull the Belt"), "Malo'ouna," "Ana Haweit," "Oum Ya Masry" (Rise You Egyptian),
and "Salma Ya Salama."