Vocalist

The 19-year-old Wahab struggles through a nighttime snowstorm on his way to the hospital where his mother lies dying. This is his last chance to untangle the knot of his relationship with her. Deep in his heart, Wahab carries the song Al-Atlal (“The Ruins”) by the Egyptian singer Oum Kalthoum. The song embodies the sorrow of a lost home, the longing for love, and ultimately the promise of reconciliation amidst the fragments of a broken relationship.

EPSG:4326

Oum – A Son’s Quest for His Mother

Barbican Centre

"For me as a child, Umm Kulthum was the voice of God," reveals Ghalia Benali. "Her voice touched the soul, not just the ears." Born in Brussels and raised in an artistic family in Tunisia, the singer was exposed to different musical styles at an early age – and continues to dance between cultures to this day. One of her greatest inspirations remains Umm Kulthum, arguably the most famous voice in the Middle East, who serves as Benali's "honorary grandmother." Together with the Iranian setar virtuoso Kiya Tabassian and his Ensemble Constantinople, she is dedicated to setting the poems of the "Rubaiyat" to music.

Vocalist

Ghalia Benali

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 13, 2025

Ghalia Benali / Constantinople Ensemble · Elbphilharmonie

Past events

Oct 2, 2025

Oum – A Son’s Quest for His Mother · Barbican Centre

Future and recently performed repertoire

Singer in Oum by El-Turk

Barbican Centre

About

Ghalia Benali hasn't added a bio