Golden Apricot: Lebanese trumpeter`s spectacular `wedding concert`  captivates audience

ArmInfo.  A spectacular concert by renowned French trumpeter and Lebanese-born composer Ibrahim  Maalouf took place in Yerevan.

The evening, which, without exaggeration, will long remain in the  memories of Yerevan residents, was organized as part of the 23rd  Golden Apricot International Film Festival in collaboration with the  Armenian Jazz Association. Maalouf, one of the most prominent  representatives of contemporary jazz, seamlessly blending classical  and Middle Eastern musical traditions, came to Armenia not only to  perform but also as an honorary guest and jury member for the  festival's Regional Competition Program.

You may not be a fan of Maalouf's music, but it's impossible not to  admire his virtuoso skill and incredible energy. From the second  song, the entire audience was on their feet. Yerevan danced and  reciprocated the musician's affection, who that evening literally  opened his heart to Armenia. He shared personal stories and memories,  spoke sincerely about his family and childhood, spoke warmly about  the musicians in his band, and then invited the young Armenian  performer onto the stage, expressing his sincere admiration. This  moment became one of the most touching highlights of the concert.

Maalouf himself called the evening in Yerevan a "wedding." He  confessed that he wanted to "marry" the Armenian capital and its  people, always answering them with a simple "yes." Throughout almost  the entire concert, the musician repeatedly asked himself one  question: why hadn't he come to Armenia sooner?  The Armenian public  first saw, or rather heard, Maalouf at the opening ceremony of the  23rd Golden Apricot Awards. During the screening of the first  Armenian full-length feature film, "Namus"-a silent drama by Amo  Bek-Nazarov, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year-the  trumpeter took the stage with an improvisation on Charles Aznavour's  immortal song "La Boheme." The audience greeted his performance with  a standing ovation.

It's worth noting that Maalouf is a virtuoso of the four-valved  trumpet, a rare instrument capable of playing quarter-tone melodies  characteristic of Middle Eastern musical tradition. Throughout his  career, the musician has received multiple Grammy Award nominations,  performed on major stages around the world, and collaborated with  such stars as Sting, Quincy Jones, Jon Batiste, Wynton Marsalis,  Angelique Kidjo, Melody Gardot, Salif Keita, and many others. In  addition to his concert work, Maalouf writes music for film and  theater, and his albums regularly reach high positions on the  European charts, cementing his reputation as one of the most  sought-after and innovative musicians of our time.