The concert will include a variety of Christmas songs ranging from classics like Ave Maria to gospel like O Happy Day and including rock 'n roll Jingle Bell Rock and Blue Christmas in addition to the most popular Christmas carols Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and many more. The singers are part of the Talents Development Centre, vocal class under Egyptian renowned tenor Sobhi Bidair. Programme: Cairo Opera House, Small Hall Thursday 29 December at 7pm (not usual 8pm!) ------------------- "Sobhi Bidair has a long and fascinating history. He started singing when still in Jesuite School. Soon after (together with Omar Khairat, the late Omar Khorshed, Hany Meimary, Wagdy Francis, Ezzat Abu Ouf), he joined the band Les Petits Chats, one of the most acclaimed bands in the history of Egyptian pop music. Touring with Les Petits Chats, Bidair's career as a pop singer flourished. He joined the Cairo Conservatory where he completed three academic years in just one year; and while there, at the age of 26, he played his first role, Pinkerton in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. This was but the beginning of a renowned operatic career. Bidair resumed his studies abroad (in Belgium, England and France) where he also performed in many operas. He was among the finalists in the International Pavarotti Singing Competition in the 1980s. At the beginning of 1990s, once back in Cairo, Bedair was appointed director of the Cairo Opera Company, a post he has held more than once. Italy also decorated Bedair with the title of Cavaliere. Today, Sohbi teaches singing and continues performing, mainly his pop repertoire. Among his music projects is the celebrated "Sobhi and Friends", a formation which has gained a significant following over the past years.
