Both composers passed away in 2021. Dagher’s work has been performed by a group of his skilful students, led by conductor Hani Farahat, while Salama’s work was conducted by Nayer Nagui; where a few soloists performed, including singers Ahemd Ibrahim, Riham Abdel-Hakim and violinist Hassan Sharara, with Culture Minister Ines Abdel-Dayem closing the show performing the solo flute in a couple of patriotic songs.

The opening of the prestigious event, founded by former Cairo Opera House president Ratiba El-Hefni, has seen honouring ceremonies for a number of acclaimed Arab musicians, including Egyptian lyricists Medhat El-Adl and Salah Mohamed Ali, Egyptian composers Mohamed Mostafa, Hisham Naiz and Mohamed Diaa, Saudi singer Abadi Al-Johar, Lebanese singer Marwan Khoury, Sudanese composer Mohamed El-Amin, Iraqi qanun instrumentalist First Qadri, Tunisian music researcher Dr. Mohamed El-Masmoudy, Egyptian music researcher Dr. Mohamed Omran, Egyptian nai instrumentalist Mahmoud Kamal, Egyptian calligrapher Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim and Egyptian troupe Sodasy Sharara.

Running until 15 November, the 30th Arab Music Festival and Conference is hosting 33 concerts by over 100 artists from 10 Arab countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Tunisia, Palestine, Joran and Oman.

The concerts are being held on six stages in three governates; the El-Gomhoreya and Arab Music Theatres as well as the Cairo Opera House Fountain and Small theatres in the capital, the Opera Damanhour in Beheira, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which is hosting the event for the first time in the Mediterranean city, instead of the Alexandria Opera House.

Managed by Jihan Morsi, the event hosts workshops and competitions in singing, song writing and instrumental performance, including categories for youngsters, kids and special needs talents.

With over 50 researchers from 15 Arab countries participating, the conference’s main theme is 'Music instruments in Arab contemporary creativity'. Topics for discussion will centre on performing and writing music comparisons between the orchestral and Arab takht work, as well as critical reviews of the impact of Western instruments on Arab musical heritage, the role of folkloric instruments, and music education.

At the Fountain Theatre; many Arab stars are performing this year including; Moroccan Samira Said (2 November) and Jannat (12 November), Egyptian Mai Farouk (3 November), Medhat Saleh (4 November), Omar Khairat (9 November), Ali El Haggar (10 November) and Hany Shaker (11 November), Lebanese Assi El Hallani (5 November), Wael Jassar (6 November) and Marwan Khoury (8 November), Tunisian Saber Rebai (13 November), Syrian Assala (13 November) among other stars.

Stars performing at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina include Lebanese Assi El-Hallani (1 November) and Marwan Khoury (5 November), Egyptians Afaf Radi (4 November), Medhat Saleh (7 November) and Ali El-Haggar (12 November) and Tunisian Saber Rebai (11 November).

The festival will conclude at the Cairo Opera House on 15 November with a concert by Lebanese star Majida El-Roumi, conducted by Egyptian acclaimed Nader Abbassi.