Soprano Zeina Barhoum takes Verdi’s La Traviata to Amman

CAIRO – 20 July 2017: Jordanian Soprano Zeina Barhoum is bringing classic Italian opera La Traviata to Amman, starting this week and running from Wednesday July 19 to Saturday July 22.

The performance will be held at the Roman Amphitheatre in Jordan's capital downtown district, featuring a wide international cast of 150 singers led by Barhoum.

Telling the National her reasons behind this event, Barhoum states that "it was actually on that stage, in Amman, that I got the inspiration for this festival.

I sang there and it was a program of pieces...and I shared the stage with five other singers. They were from Italy and the orchestra from Jordan. I remember the crowd enjoying it so much and we got good feedback – that gave me the idea that we should do something bigger.”

The massive undertaking is supported by Princess Muna Al-Hussein, who is the event's patron, and author Fadi Zaghmout, writer of one of Jordan's best belling novels, 'The Bride of Amman' published in 2015. As he tells the National, “These events are not just about entertainment. Culture and all art is vital in creating tolerance and having a liberal type of society."

"As a Jordanian, I am happy these things are happening in my country and I hope it receives a lot of support."

Barhoum hopes the event can only grow bigger from here, with plans for it run annually.
As the National quotes her,"If I can help in my way to allow people to achieve their goal, it would bring a lot of joy to my heart."