Darwish:I want to revive Arabic music

He's a member of the Arabic music group in Cairo Opera House, likes the oldies and has features in many concerts in the Opera. Mahmoud Darwish, the man with the golden voice, has spoken to Arabstoday about his beginnings: “I used to participate in many college concerts during my studies, and my talent was discovered by one of the poets who used to attend those concerts. He encouraged me to take up singing as a profession. I joined the Arabic music band under the supervision of maestro Selim Sahab as a soprano and not within the choir. Then I got specialised in hard songs like “Gabar” for Abdul Halim Hafez that need high vocal skills in addition to the best of Farid Al-Atrash...I really love their songs and consider them my heroes," said Darwish. He added: "I suffered a lot in the beginning as after the era of Mohamed Al-Helw, Mohamed Tharwat and Ahmed Ibrahim there were no true singers, and I was from the next generation so I was totally ignored.  Egyptian television helped in ignoring Egyptian singers as it focused only on Arab singers. I remember in television concerts they used weak voices  and totally ignored Arabic Music Band members...I wish this would change after the revolution.: "I thought of forming a special band for reviving the oldies, bringing back our singing heritage and introduce new voices through that band that was called “Kenouz” (Treasures). The band includes 25 of the best artists to revive the oldies and reintroduce them in a modern way while keeping the core of these Arabic musical treasures. I decided to help the new voices so that they don't suffer as I did in my beginnings." As for only performing in the opera and not releasing any albums, Darwish said: “I love the classics and I already thought of releasing an album but unfortunately the market is not so promising and I wish this changes soon."