Lebanese maestro El Hajj to lead Iran’s National Orchestra

Lebanese maestro Andre El Hajj conducts Iran’s National Orchestra in today’s performance of a piece entitled, ‘Bitabi-e Belqeis’ (The Impatience of Belqeis’).

This was decided at a meeting attended by Iran’s Deputy Culture Minister for Arts Affairs Mojtaba Hosseini, the adviser to the Lebanese minister of culture, Hossein Ajami, and Andre El Hajj, who is the leader of the Lebanese National Orchestra, IRNA reported.

In this meeting, Ajami called for greater joint cooperation between Iran and Lebanon in the field of art.

Commenting on a cultural MoU between the two countries, he added Lebanon is willing to cooperate with the Islamic Republic in the fields of music and visual arts.

Hosseini said art is a language which does not need to be translated; it is the best means of communication among countries, stressing that the strongest links are the cultural and artistic connections.

Iran and Lebanon have had artistic links since a long time ago, and it will be further strengthened through increased interactions and joint activities.

Describing as “very professional” performances by Iran’s National Orchestra, El Hajj said Iran is home to highly professional musicians and artists.

Lebanon and its national orchestra are keen on interacting with Iran in the field of music, he added.

Produced by Iranian composer and musician, Fardin Khalatbari, ‘Bitabi-e Belqeis’ is an effort to sympathize with the Lebanese over Beirut’s August 4 blast.