By thenational.ae

She could be 80 or 81 – while her age is disputed, one thing for sure is
November 21 is Fairouz’s birthday. The legendary Lebanese artist, real
name Nouhad Wadie’ Haddad, has performed on all the world’s greatest
stages, ranging from the Royal Albert Hall in London to Carnegie Hall in
New York. While there is no official tally as yet, Fairouz is said to
have recorded over 1,500 songs and released more than 80 albums. We take
a closer look at what made her the greatest Arab diva,

One of the cultural trio

Fairouz
is the last of the famous Lebanese cultural trio of icons that included
the great singer, composer and actor, Wadih Al Safi (1921-2013), and
singer and actress Sabah (1927-2014).

From rags to riches

Fairouz’s
rags to riches story touched millions in the Arab world, where growing
up in a poor Christian Lebanese family, it became the stuff of legends
of how, unable to afford a radio, she would listen to her neighbour’s
radio from her window ledge. Her favourites were the legendary Arab
stars of the 1940s, Egyptian singer Leila Murad and Syrian Druze
princess and singer, Asmahan.

The beginning

Fairouz
began her musical career as a member of the chorus at the Lebanese
Radio Station. She quickly became known for her angelic voice, and was
quoted as saying she “sings as if praying.” She distinguished herself
from typical Arab singers by not using the common nasal tones in favour
of clearer resonances.

The moon and the stars

Fairouz’s
nationalistic and nostalgic songs and voice crossed borders and
generations, She sang pro-Palestinian songs, earning her the title
“Safeerat Al Nojoom” Ambassador to the Stars, and a song about the moon
that also gave her the title “Jarat Al Qamar” Neighbor to the Moon. She
also carries other honorific titles such as “rouh Lebnan” the Soul of
Lebanon. Western critics compared her to Billie Holiday and some called
her the “Callas of Arabia” (after famous opera singer Maria Callas)

Turquoise

Halim El Ruomi, who was
also the musical director at the Lebanese Radio Station, where she sang
as a teenager, recognised her talent and made her lead soloist. He was
the one who gave her the stage name Fairouz (turquoise) because her
voice reminded him of a precious delicate stone. He is the father of
famous Lebanese singer and soprano, Majida El Roumi. In the 1960s, Halim
dubbed Fairouz the “First Lady of Lebanese singing.”

The mystery

Fairouz is known for
her fiercely reserved and private persona, rarely giving interviews or
public appearances unless for a performance. This only enhanced her
enigmatic persona.

Romance

Fairouz married Assi
Rahbani on January 23, 1955. Rabbani, together with Mansour, were the
celebrated Lebanese musicians known as the Rahbani brothers. Together
they wrote hundreds of Fairouz’s songs, as well as operetta, theatre and
movie productions. The song that launched their career, was the Fairouz
sung romantic ballad ‘Itab (Blame). Overnight, ‘Itab
established Fairouz as a major singer throughout the Arab world. From
1979, Fairouz started working with her son Ziad Rahbani. She has
performed several times in UAE. Her first concert was in Sharjah in 1970
and her last public performance was also in the Emirate in 2008.​