Content oversight and quality assurance provided by Studio 1847
Omar Harfouch’s “Concerto for Peace,” performed on September 18, fused classical and oriental music while delivering a powerful message of global peace. Held at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris to an audience of over 1,900, the concert has gained international attention for its timely call for unity during a challenging period.
Before the performance, Harfouch, a composer, pianist, and peace advocate, welcomed distinguished guests, including diplomats, politicians, artists and media figures. Among the attendees was renowned French actress Catherine Deneuve, who added star power to the evening.
As Harfouch stepped on stage, he introduced the 60-piece Orchestre Béziers Méditerranée, led by maestro Mathieu Bonnin, alongside co-orchestrator Houtaf Khoury and later violinist Anne Gravoin. The entire orchestra wore sunglasses, a symbolic gesture inspired by Harfouch himself. He explained that this act was meant to highlight the importance of light as a metaphor for hope and peace, urging the audience to appreciate and embrace the light over the darkness of hatred.
The concert began with “Fantaisie Orientale,” a lively piece blending Eastern and Western instruments, which prompted the audience to clap along enthusiastically. The piece was so well-received that it was played a second time, adding to the joyful atmosphere. Next, Harfouch performed “Tripoli,” a tribute to his hometown in Lebanon, symbolizing the meeting of East and West. An evocative video of the city’s architecture featuring his wife, Yulia, played alongside the music, enhancing its emotional depth.
The third piece, “You Save One Life, You Save Humanity,” premiered last year at the European Commission. Drawing on a message from both the Talmud and the Quran, the piece emphasizes the equal value of all human lives.
The event’s highlight was the performance of Harfouch’s long-awaited concerto. He asked the audience to pay close attention to its movements, which conveyed the tension between conflict and peace. Harfouch’s expressions reflected the emotional complexity of the piece, which transitioned from dissonance to harmony, symbolizing the difficult yet rewarding journey toward peace.
As the concerto concluded with a fragile yet hopeful resolution, the audience responded with a standing ovation. Harfouch called on them to join him in the pursuit of peace. A 30-member choir then filled the aisles, singing amongst the audience a harmony that served as both a finale and a call to action.
Reflecting on the concert’s significance, Harfouch remarked, “This event has shown how music can bring people together. I hope ‘Concerto for Peace’ continues to inspire a world united in harmony.” The initiative, set to tour prominent venues like the Vatican, Italian Parliament and United Nations, aims to spread its message of peace and unity worldwide.
The news and editorial staffs of the Chicago Tribune had no role in this post’s preparation.