Syrian singer Sabah Fakhri passes away

The Syrian singer Sabah Fakhri passed away at the age of 88 on Tuesday, announced the Syrian News Agency.

Sabah Fakhri, whose original name is Sabah al-Din Abu Qaws, is one of the most prominent figures in Arab music. He was born in 1933 in the city of Aleppo, which is considered one of the most important centers of Arab music, and there he grew up and his artistic talent appeared early.

From a young age, he was fascinated with singing, and was taught by one of his mother’s friends. He then became attached to art after he had learned at the age of six the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, which taught him how to control his voice. His voice is distinguished by a very clear mastery of letter exits, as well as the ability to move from one musical position to another easily and smoothly.

Although he came from a very traditional background and a very religious and conservative family, he loved music and singing like the rest of the families in Aleppo, so his talent was recognized at an early age and it was not an obstacle in the face of his artistic rise. He refined his talent by studying at the Aleppo Institute of Music and then at the Damascus Institute, graduating in 1948.

He was fascinated by the muwashahat, the maqamat, the qudud, the sunbulah dance, and playing the lute. His voice combined elegance and sweetness besides strength and length of breath, and his voice had an amazing ability to perform maqamat.

Fakhri is one of the few Arab singers who reached the world stage with his artistic and lyrical abilities, thus he deserved the title of Dean of Arab Tarab and Master of Arab Singers. He was also named the Curlews of the East, the owner of the Golden Throat, and the holder of the Tarab banner.

He entered the Guinness World Records for the longest ten-hour non-stop concert in Venezuela in 1968.

Sabah Fakhri, whose works have marked the artistic movement for more than 70 years. will forever remain a master of Syrian music and a tenant of Arab music.

Roya extends its deepest condolences to Fakhri's family and friends.