The BA Presents Sayed Darwish's Al-Barouka Operetta at the End of May
Posted on
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina organized yesterday a press conference at Sinnari House in Cairo to announce the details of Al-Barouka operetta by Sayed Darwish, which is set to take place at the Library on Thursday and Friday, 22 – 23 May 2025. The conference was organized by the BA Arts Center, in the presence of Ms. Rasha Eid, Director of the Arts Center.
Mr. Rageh Daoud, Supervisor of the BA Arts Center, said that this performance has a great heritage significance as it is among Sayed Darwish’s most timeless works, noting that it has not been fully presented in Alexandria before. Daoud added that the operetta represents a revival of Darwish's forgotten musical heritage, stating that the work will be reprised with a modern take and a focus on musical drama. Performed in an Alexandrian dialect, the revived show is based on the original version of the operetta that was introduced in the early 20th century.
Mr. Nayer Nagui, conductor of the BA Orchestra, said that new arrangements carry the Egyptian musical heritage around the world, stressing that Sayed Darwish's works are unique and have always represented Egypt at international festivals.
For his part, Dr. Mohamed Abdel Qader, Professor at the Faculty of Music Education, Helwan University, highlighted the importance of reviving heritage for young generations, such as the works of Sayed Darwish, pointing out that the first performance of this operetta was staged in 1921.
Al-Barouka operetta is one of the most famous comedy musicals by Sayed Darwish. It is based on the operetta La mascotte by French composer Edmond Audran.
The text was localized by Mahmoud Murad and Youssef Helmy, and rewritten by Mohamed Abdel Qader.