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Lebanese-French trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf and his wife, celebrated singer and actress Hiba Tawaji, took the stage at Istanbul’s historic Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre with a sweeping symphonic performance that blended classical instrumentation with a modern musical approach.
Accompanied by a full orchestra under the baton of Turkish conductor Murat Cem Orhan, the duo presented a carefully curated program that revolved around the theme of love.
Welcoming the audience in Turkish, Maalouf expressed his honor and gratitude for the warm reception in Türkiye. He emphasized the deeply personal nature of the performance, stating that they had traveled from France and Lebanon “to present you a night of love.”
The repertoire featured iconic French songs, from “La Vie En Rose” to “Que Je T’aime,” as well as fusion pieces like “Les Moulins/La Bidayi,” weaving Arabic melodies into European classics.
Maalouf described the program as “a mix of every kind of music we love,” adding that he had brought along musicians he genuinely admired. Tawaji echoed his sentiments, sharing her excitement about performing in Istanbul and highlighting the joy of being part of such a rich musical collaboration.
This was the third time the couple performed this program together, having previously staged it in France and New York. Maalouf described the experience as an extraordinary journey, saying it was a privilege to share the stage with “the most beautiful woman and voice in the world.”
Their deep musical and emotional connection was palpable throughout the concert, which featured a diverse range of pieces, including “Toulouse,” “True Sorry,” and “Papaoutai.”
In a surprise moment toward the end of the concert, Maalouf invited Turkish clarinet virtuoso Husnu Senlendirici to the stage. Referring to him as one of his musical idols, Maalouf revealed that the appearance was a secret even from his wife.
He noted that Tawaji's family has Turkish roots and had emigrated from Türkiye to Lebanon, making the surprise even more meaningful.
Senlendirici, in turn, spoke of the natural musical bond he shared with Maalouf, highlighting that both their fathers had played the trumpet and that this shared lineage gave their collaboration a special resonance.
The night concluded with a heartwarming celebration as Maalouf and Tawaji brought their son Nael onstage to mark his fourth birthday.
As the audience applauded, the young boy blew out candles on a birthday cake with his parents by his side, bringing a tender close to a concert filled with love in all its forms.
4 min read
