This year’s New York Arabic Orchestra program celebrates the enduring legacy of the Rahbani family, whose music and musical theater shaped modern Lebanese cultural identity and left an indelible mark on the Arab world. Through decades of visionary compositions and storytelling—most famously in collaboration with the iconic singer Fairuz—the Rahbanis created a body of work that blends poetic lyricism with rich musical textures.

Their music explores themes of love, homeland, nostalgia, social reflection, and everyday life, capturing both the intimacy of personal emotion and the collective spirit of Lebanese culture. With its lyrical melodies, theatrical flair, and emotional depth, the Rahbani repertoire continues to resonate across generations and borders.

The concert will also feature members of the New York Arabic Chorus, as well as the world premiere of Mahhatat, a newly commissioned work composed by Layth Sidiq, Artistic Director of the New York Arabic Orchestra. The piece was written specifically for students from the Long Island University Music Department and served as the foundation for a series of preparatory rehearsal sessions introducing them to Arabic musical language and performance traditions. Through the composition, students engaged directly with the stylistic, rhythmic, and interpretive elements of this musical idiom. The orchestra is proud to be joined by these students for this special premiere.