The indomitable diva who once captivated millions with her powerful music is celebrated in the stage musical Umm Kulthum & the Golden Era
Photo: Sandra Chidiac
Across the bustling streets of Cairo and the quiet villages of the Levant, Umm Kulthum’s voice resonates through generations and social classes. Her enchanting melodies and powerful vocals are woven into the very fabric of Arab culture. The opening notes of an Umm Kulthum classic can stop conversations mid-sentence, evoking collective nostalgia and reverence. Known as Kawkab Al Sharq, “the star of the east,” or simply Al Sett, “the lady,” her artistry has become so deeply ingrained in the collective Arab consciousness that it serves as a common language, understood and cherished by all. In a region marked by diversity and often division, her legacy stands as a rare point of recognition and appreciation.
Photo: Sandra Chidiac
Nearly half a century after her passing in 1975, her omnipresence speaks to the emotional connection people have with her songs. Umm Kulthum’s unique vocal style and emotionally charged compositions have even been reinterpreted by various western artists, including American rapper Mos Def. Beyoncé incorporated Umm Kulthum’s well-known “Enta Omri” into her live shows, introducing the legend’s artistry to a global audience and bridging Arab classical music with modern sounds. Now, she has once again captured international attention through a new musical theatre production: Umm Kulthum & the Golden Era, conceived and produced by Saudi creative Mona Khashoggi. This ambitious production not only celebrates Umm Kulthum’s unparalleled musical talent but also explores the cultural and historical context of her rise to fame. Set against the backdrop of Egypt’s mid-20th century Golden Era, the show offers audiences an immersive journey into a pivotal period in Arab cultural history. With 14 actors, 10 musicians, and 17 crew members from London and across the region, this extravaganza reimagines Umm Kulthum’s story through the lens of contemporary musical theater and introduces new audiences to the timeless appeal of her powerful voice and poetic lyrics. “My passion and mission in life is to promote Arab culture and heritage,” says Khashoggi. “I have been doing it for 20 years, collecting traditional costumes and curating art shows in London, Paris, and New York. Now I want to enlighten the western world with classical Arabic music. I want people to experience the legacy of the Star of the Orient.” The show also pays homage to other artists of the Golden Era, such as composer, singer, and actor Mohamed Abdel Wahab, composer Baligh Hamdi, musician Mohamed Qasabgi, actor and belly dancer Taheyya Kariokka, and singer Mounira El Mahdeya.
Photo: Sandra Chidiac
In the production, Egyptian singer and actor Angelica Anwar portrays the Umm Kulthum, while opera vocalist Lubana Al Quntar embodies the singer in her prime. “The show balances her personal struggles and rocky road to fame,” Khashoggi says. “I created some fictional scenes of what I imagined happened behind the scenes. It’s both funny and sad.” The production features a live orchestra from Cairo, conducted by maestro Mostafa Fahmy. Director Bronagh Lagan brings Khashoggi’s script to life, with Gregor Donnelly’s set design and costumes adding depth to the production. This collaboration of musical talent and visual artistry creates an immersive experience for guests, who often sing, laugh, cry, and cheer along.
Born around 1904 in the Nile Delta village of Tamay Az Zahayra, Umm Kulthum rose from humble beginnings. She was introduced to music early through her father, an imam who supplemented the family’s income by singing religious songs at weddings and other events. Under his guidance, she mastered Quranic recitations and traditional melodies, often joining him at community events where her remarkable voice captivated audiences. Her father disguised her as a boy during local performances to shield her from controversy and unwanted attention. By her early teens, prominent musicians had recognized her exceptional voice and helped shape her early career. These childhood experiences in rural Egypt and her exposure to religious and folk music profoundly influenced her artistic development, setting the stage for her rise to superstardom.
Photo: Sandra Chidiac
Umm Kulthum’s career flourished after she began collaborating with poet Ahmed Rami, whose romantic poetry, often exploring unrequited love and loss, blended seamlessly with traditional Arabic modal scales (maqamat). Her early career was met with both admiration and ridicule. While her voice was praised in Cairo’s elite circles, her rural mannerisms were mocked. Undeterred, she adapted to city life, refined her style, and worked with the best artists of the time. Her reputation as a demanding collaborator did not prevent her from becoming the highest-paid performer in Cairo’s vibrant art scene.
Her unparalleled vocal prowess had a profound effect on audiences, often inducing a state of tarab – an intense emotional response akin to euphoria or spiritual ecstasy. This created a unique, interactive dynamic during her concerts, with listeners would vocally express their emotional connection to her music. By the 1930s, Umm Kulthum had strategically cultivated both her musical talent and public persona, propelling her to the pinnacle of the music industry.
In the 1940s, her music began addressing the concerns of everyday people through populist songs in colloquial Arabic. Although she had once performed private concerts for the Egyptian royal family, she adeptly navigated the changing political landscape. As Cairo became a center of revolutionary politics and anti-imperialist sentiments, she aligned her music with these cultural currents. She became closely associated with Gamal Abdel Nasser’s regime, singing in support of his policies of pan-Arabism and donating millions to the military. The 1952 coup marked a turning point in Egyptian history, deposing King Farouk and hastening the British withdrawal. Umm Kulthum’s public support for Nasser is believed to have played a crucial role in legitimizing his leadership among the masses. However, after the revolution, her songs were briefly banned from radio broadcasts due to her former ties to the monarchy – until Nasser himself intervened, reportedly saying, “Are they insane? Do they want to turn Egypt against us?”
Photo: Sandra Chidiac
Known for her commanding presence, Umm Kulthum’s performances became legendary. Her contralto voice, capable of spanning from the second to the eighth octave, filled large venues without amplification and required her to maintain a significant distance from the microphone. Her improvisational skills often extended songs to 45 or 90 minutes, delighting audiences by subtly altering emphasis and exploring Arabic scales. Every first Thursday of the month, at precisely 9pm, millions of people across the region hurried home to tune in to her live radio performances – events that went beyond entertainment and became a social phenomenon uniting listeners from Morocco to the Gulf.
Her life challenges many western stereotypes about women in Arab societies. She was a powerful, independent figure who negotiated shrewdly with record labels and commanded respect from the highest echelons of society. Her only European performance, at L’Olympia in Paris in 1967, earned her the highest fee ever paid to an artist there, which she donated entirely to the Egyptian military. This event solidified her role as a cultural ambassador, elevating Egypt’s profile on the world stage. During a rare interview following the performance, Umm Kulthum showcased her wit and love for her country when asked about her favorite thing in the city: “The obelisk, because it’s ours.”
Photo: Sandra Chidiac
The passing of the superstar unleashed a tidal wave of sorrow across the Arab world, with millions mourning the loss of the iconic singer. Her death marked the end of an era and sparked an unprecedented display of collective grief that ignored national borders. In a rare departure from Islamic tradition, her funeral was delayed for two days to accommodate an estimated four million grieving fans. The sheer scale of this event underscored the deep, personal connections she had forged with the Egyptian people and the broader Arab world.
The legacy of Umm Kulthum transcends music. She was a cultural phenomenon who navigated the complex interplay of art, politics, and social change. Today, her music continues to echo through the streets of Arab cities and in the hearts of listeners worldwide, embodying the spirit of identity and artistic excellence. Understanding Umm Kulthum offers insight not only into a remarkable artist but also into the soul of a nation and the power of music to shape history and unite people across time and borders.
Production: Ankita Chandra
Production assistant: Youmna Elkalash
Originally published in the November 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia
