Presented by By Fawaz Kannout's Muntada and Sunflower Chamber Orchestra

Dominican University Performing Arts Center

7900 Division Street River Forest, IL 60305

Join us for a mesmerizing evening of Arabic music and culture at the Dominican University Performing Arts Center! Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of Lubana Al Quntar, a renowned vocalist, and a lineup of exceptional guest performers, who will add their own flair to the evening. Prepare to be captivated by their soulful performances and experience the beauty of live music. This in-person event promises to be a memorable night filled with harmony and joy. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to witness the magic unfold on stage.

Lubana Al Quntar is celebrated as Syria's first opera singer and the first Arab opera singer to participate in international opera voice competitions. Born in Damascus, she has won multiple international singing competitions and studied at renowned music institutions in London, Damascus, and Holland. Globally recognized as a soloist, Lubana has performed at prestigious venues such as the Opera Bastille in Paris, Opera Avicenna in Doha, and the Kennedy Center in the United States, blending traditional Arabic singing with opera techniques. Overall, her unique vocal talent has allowed her to traverse a broad range of genres, from classical Arabic and folk songs to pop and classical opera, showcasing her skills as a dramatic coloratura. Currently based in Washington DC, Lubana uses her voice to promote Syrian culture and aids refugees through fundraising concerts.

Lubana Al-Quntar comes from a Syrian family that is deeply rooted in classical Arabic music. She is related to singer/actress Amal Al Atrash (known by her stage name, Asmahan) and her brother, renowned composer and singer Farid Al Atrash. These connections influenced her musical path and played an important role in her decision to seek a career as a professional singer. Born in Syria, she began singing at an early age and had an unusual gift for singing challenging sung poetry from childhood. Today Lubana performs a wide a range of repertoire within the Arab music canon which include music from the classical, contemporary, folk, and pop genres. Her expressive voice allows her to add luster and richness to the various singing styles.  In addition to traditional Arab song, Lubana studied opera and became the first Syrian opera singer to attain international recognition, as she appeared in concerts throughout Europe.  She returned to Syria to head the Department of Opera Singing and launched the Department of Classical Arabic Singing at the Syrian National Conservatory. This was a ground-breaking event because, for the first time, students could study both operatic and traditional singing at an accredited institution. She established the Arabic Music Singing Ensemble that performed across the Middle East. She came to the United States in 2012 and has since performed in numerous venues across the country in addition to her European performances.

Fawaz Kannout's Muntada Whether it be as a player or a listener, Dr. Fawaz Kannout’s love and passion for music were unimaginable. He wanted to organize a way to share his love of music with his family, friends, and community. This mission led to the creation of Muntada, a platform where musicians could show their talents and audiences could appreciate and learn the beauty of music. Despite his uphill battle with cancer, Fawaz introduced the Chicago land community to many talented artists and musicians and hosted four large-scale successful concerts. Unfortunately, Fawaz lost his battle with cancer, but his love and motivation to expose people to the beauty of art will grow and continue through Muntada.