The Phonograph Changed Me

At the end of her life, Umm Kulthum had become the icon of the entire Arab world — the voice that embodied the Arab soul and translated it into countless songs. This year, we commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of her death and remember the four million Egyptians who accompanied her to her final resting place.

In The Phonograph Changed Me, a performance by Marmoucha Orchestra in collaboration with composer, singer, and filmmaker Toni Geitani, the listening environment and early career of Umm Kulthum are explored. Through an interdisciplinary concert, they delve into her first influences and sources of inspiration.

Opening of the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival
The concert The Phonograph Changed Me also serves as the opening performance of the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival (RAFF). Prior to the concert, Toni Geitani and author Willem Bruls will engage in a conversation about the career of this exceptional singer, whose legacy made her a legend in the Arab world. Geitani will elaborate on the choices he made for the concert, while Bruls explores the importance of the Aida narrative in both Western opera and Egyptian cinema. The discussion will also touch on representations of what we have come to call the Orient, and on aspects of Orientalism.

19:00 – Walk-in with Arabic snacks and music
19:30 – O. Talk with Willem Bruls and Toni Geitani. Arturo den Hartog performs songs from Egyptian operas by Handel
20:30 – Performance The Phonograph Changed Me
22:00 – Closing party

"A Phonograph Changed Me is a journey through the life of Umm Kulthum — highlighting not only her vocal talent, but also her extraordinary capacity for listening. She became the voice of Egypt, a symbol of national pride and cultural identity. More than fifty years after her death, Umm Kulthum remains an indispensable part of the daily musical landscape in the Arab world."
– Rosh Abdelfatah, Director of the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival