We have seen Kalthoum

Before beginning to play, Ibrahim Maalouf takes the time to present what he is going to perform. We don't yet realize how unique and deeply personal his offering is. We will later understand that it is utterly captivating. He explains that his show is called Kalthoum, in homage to the 50th anniversary of the passing of Oum Kalthoum. Perhaps—he tells us—the greatest singer of the Arab world, whose work he will perform on the stage of the Espace Robert Hossein in Lourdes, a jazz adaptation of one of her most famous songs (in the East), "Alf Leila Wa Leila," which translates as "One Thousand and One Nights." Just one song, just one jazz piece, certainly, but he explains that in Oum Kalthoum's work, pieces last an hour and the choruses four minutes. With the ambition of bridging the gap between the Eastern sounds of Oum Kalthoum's songs and the Western jazz adaptation he offers, he demonstrates that while only the form changes between East and West, the essence remains the same. On stage, his detailed explanations, full of commentary and personal anecdotes, begin to forge a connection that is as much cultural as it is musical between the artist and the 1,600 spectators. This connection gives meaning to his performance and propels the rest of the show. Just one song, one piece of jazz. But what musical richness! A true journey between East and West, or rather, between East and West simultaneously, with beautiful sonic imagery, almost evocative of smells and tastes. And at the end of the concert, we are quite surprised to realize that we never left our seats. Magical.