Maestro Elie Alia: A Pioneer in Arabic Music

About Maestro Elie Alia

Maestro Elie Alia may be one of the few musicians who has been successfully practicing his profession for nearly 40 years until today. He has lived through several artistic eras, witnessing the era of fine art as well as modern art. Artists request him by name to accompany them on stage in their concerts.

Career Highlights

He stood alongside Arab and Lebanese stars until his presence became a complement to the artistic scene in the region. Among the stars he collaborated with and considered an integral part of their appearances were the late Melhem Barakat, as well as the artist George Wassouf. He also accompanied Mohammed Abdu, Abdullah Al-Ruwaished, and Nabil Shuail, all the way to Hani Shaker and Ahmed Adaweya. This is what made his name shine in the world of Arabic song for nearly half a century.

Lessons Learned

Elie says: With George Wassouf, I received lessons in the art of singing (Elie Al-Ulya)

He says that he was still a student when he started his career. After that, he switched to studying law. However, he decided to study music again. Today, he criticizes many musicians who do not give music studies a place in their interests. He tells Asharq Al-Awsat: “Most of them do not have time to study, and prefer to work and secure their livelihood.” He criticizes the new generation: “This generation is not willing to listen to advice. Instead of waiting for it enthusiastically from their parents, they prefer the advice that Google provides them.” Al-Alia continues in the context of his talk: “They describe us as ‘the old tune’ and that we no longer meet the requirements of this era. But I tell them, ‘It is nice to develop.’ But we must not lose our human feelings and turn into ‘robots.’”

About His Long Career

At the concert of the artist Najwa Karam in Syria (Eli Alia)

His long career in art has taught him many lessons that he cannot sum up in two words: “Artists are also human beings and have their own strengths and weaknesses. I have had many experiences with everyone. I have learned from each one what adds to me and to my profession. No matter how positive or negative they are, I have stored the lessons from them to benefit from.”

Preserving the Lebanese Song

He says that every artistic era he lived through taught him lessons that made him more advanced and mature. “After some time, I noticed that I started thinking more maturely and in a different way. I turned to the issue of preserving the Lebanese song. I sensed chaos in the arena regarding our artistic culture. I started focusing on this issue. I became a strong supporter of every singer who adheres to it. I followed one of the pillars of this art, the late musician Melhem Barakat. Today, I am applying it with the artist Najwa Karam. (Her adherence to the Lebanese song caught my attention, and I have always looked for a role to preserve the level of the song in general.) In our profession, whenever the level of music and singing rises, we feel better.”

Collaborations and Upcoming Projects

In his opinion, most of the new generation of musicians do not enrich their profession with knowledge (Elie Alia)

With the artist George Wassouf, he learned lessons in the art of singing. He says: “He is the pinnacle of performance and a master of singing, which makes him a school in himself. We must work hard to preserve these artists and the artistic heritage they represent.”

Conclusion

Maestro Elie Alia has had a long and distinguished career in Arabic music, collaborating with many notable artists and preserving the Lebanese song. He continues to promote the importance of music education and the need to develop one’s skills to become a successful musician.

FAQs

Q: How long has Maestro Elie Alia been in the music industry?

A: Nearly 40 years.

Q: Who has he collaborated with in his career?

A: The late Melhem Barakat, George Wassouf, Mohammed Abdu, Abdullah Al-Ruwaished, Nabil Shuail, Hani Shaker, and Ahmed Adaweya, among others.

Q: What is his opinion on the current state of Arabic music?

A: He believes that many young musicians do not give music studies a place in their interests and prefer to rely on Google for advice.

Q: What is his new artistic idea?

A: He is collaborating with the poet Nizar Francis and his daughter Vanessa on a new artistic project.