Art is based on spontaneity and honesty Artist Joseph Attieh proves his place in the artistic arena day after day. His concert witnessed an unpreceden
Art is based on spontaneity and honesty
Artist Joseph Attieh proves his place in the artistic arena day after day. His concert witnessed an unprecedented human turnout and interaction. Perhaps what distinguishes him from other artists of his generation lies in the quality of his voice. It takes on new colors with every melody and word he performs, highlighting his potential and abilities in singing Lebanese folklore as well as romantic, patriotic, and even Egyptian songs.
Every concert he performs carries a special memory for him. The more his experiences in this field accumulate, the more he feels his position is more and more stable. He comments: “The Beirut Holidays festivals have their own special flavor. The most important and famous Arab and foreign stars have stood on its stage, along with Lebanese singers. The history of this theater is taken into account a thousand times, as are the audiences who decorate its stages.”
Attia continues that he cannot prefer one audience over another or one concert over another. “On my tours outside Lebanon, I discover the uniqueness of each audience. Their interaction with me fills me with enthusiasm. In Australia, Canada and America, I have received this great longing for the homeland from the Arab communities.”
He puts classical and authentic works at the forefront of what people miss these days. “There is no doubt that romantic songs hold a great place for themselves. When I perform them, I feel how they speak to people. Therefore, I do not limit myself to one type of singing, because each type has its share of the audience’s love.”
Attia’s song “Lebanon Will Return” created an artistic atmosphere that prompted some to classify it as something similar to a national anthem. When Attia performs it in any concert he holds, it creates a remarkable atmosphere of enthusiasm.
He does not rule out the idea of doing a musical. In his last concert in downtown Beirut, he wore the Lebanese flag in harmony with the audience waving it from afar. Is he thinking of preparing a new song of this type today? He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The project of preparing a new patriotic song is always possible. But the artist’s success with a song of this type is, in my opinion, a double-edged sword. It is difficult for him to repeat the experience without ensuring the same spread of the work. With a work of this importance, we may not be able to easily find something of equal importance.”
One of Attia’s recent achievements was being honored with an award at the BIAF (Beirut International Festival). He has previously won several awards throughout his career, so what about being honored in the heart of Beirut? “An award that stems from the love of people in the motherland has special meanings. This festival in particular, which highlights Beirut’s culture and its role as an Arab capital, made me feel proud of its award. I realize that any honor that comes with a moral connotation, but it leaves the honoree with a different feeling in his country. It is as if it is a reward for the achievements he has achieved through effort and perseverance.”
Anyone who attends any of Joseph Attieh’s concerts will notice that he has an overwhelming presence on stage. He leaves the audience with the impression that he is the hero of a musical play. Asharq Al-Awsat asked him about the possibility of playing the lead role in a play of this type. “It never occurred to me that I would take this artistic step. People’s opinion of me in this way warms my heart. There is no doubt that I am good at controlling my movements on stage, which provides me with tremendous energy. Therefore, I do not rule out presenting a play of this type if I am destined to do so.”
Most of the time, Attia avoids being in the spotlight all the time. He prefers to maintain his normal lifestyle. He continues: “I didn’t do this intentionally. The quiet nature of my life pushes me to stick to this social line. I am comfortable with this lifestyle and I think I will always maintain it.”
I do not limit myself to one type of music because each type has its share of the audience’s love.
Joseph Attieh
Attia has many dreams, but he doesn’t plan for them. “I live on ‘what God has destined’. My dreams don’t take up the bulk of my thinking. I work spontaneously and I cherish my friendship and closeness to people. The beautiful thing is that things go the way I want. In my opinion, art is directly linked to spontaneity and honesty. They are two pillars that ensure an artist’s lasting continuity.” As for the composers he likes to collaborate with, he names Marwan Khoury and Ziad Bourji.
In a new duet that he has never done with a singer before, Joseph Attieh appeared in a duet with artist Eliana. He previously collaborated with international singer Faudel on the song “Talaqaina Tani”. So how did this meeting with the aforementioned artist happen? He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “It happened spontaneously and what served it was the lyrical harmony between me and Eliana. The magnificence of our voices was compatible, and we filmed the work (Wala Ghalta) in France. From the first moment, there was chemistry between us, and with the harmony of our vocals, a work was born that carries an artistic spirit and a singing pulse that people loved.”
The lyrical harmony between me and Eliana created a work that carries an artistic spirit and a singing pulse that people loved.
Joseph Attieh
Soon, Joseph Attieh will embark on an artistic tour in America and Canada, preceded by several concerts in Syria, Jordan, and Dubai. As for the people he consults before any step he takes, he says: “I resort to many people, most notably my management team, headed by Amin Abi Yaghi. I also listen to friends I trust and who are close to me. In the end, I choose what suits my convictions. The songs I present must stir my feelings and be in line with my ideas. I do not do work that I do not like. I have never gone in an exaggerated direction or gone to extremes in my choice. I believe that what I do is consistent with my personality, as I am on the right path.”
He admits that sometimes he did not appreciate the success of a song as the team expected. “The song (Baad El Shawq) is the best example of that. My collaboration with experienced and professional people is an added bonus for me. This is not limited to my singing choices, but also to other artistic steps that I take.”
When asked if he aspires to enter the field of film acting, he concluded to Asharq Al-Awsat: “My dreams in art are limitless, and what I work hard and strive to achieve most is development. I will not hesitate in the future to take any step that falls within the category of progress. This includes cinema and theater.”
Conclusion
Joseph Attieh is a talented artist who has made a name for himself in the Lebanese music industry. With his unique voice and charming stage presence, he has won the hearts of many fans. His music is a reflection of his love for his country and his people, and he continues to inspire and entertain with his performances.
FAQs
- What type of music does Joseph Attieh sing?
- Joseph Attieh sings a variety of music genres, including Lebanese folklore, romantic songs, patriotic songs, and Egyptian songs.
- What is Joseph Attieh’s stage presence like?
- Joseph Attieh has an overwhelming presence on stage, and he leaves the audience with the impression that he is the hero of a musical play.
- What is Joseph Attieh’s approach to music?
- Joseph Attieh believes that art is directly linked to spontaneity and honesty. He works spontaneously and cherishes his friendship and closeness to people.
- Has Joseph Attieh won any awards?
- Yes, Joseph Attieh has won several awards throughout his career, including an award at the BIAF (Beirut International Festival).
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