Here's What You Can't Miss at this Summer's Beiteddine Festival

The Beiteddine Palace is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular locations in Lebanon – and for the past 3 decades a host of international and local talents have been performing there as part of the Beiteddine Art Festival .

The majestic setting and breathtaking views from the historic hideaway in the Chouf Mountains lend themselves to a diverse range of performances each summer. This year’s 30th anniversary edition begins on July 29 and goes on till the beginning of September, and here’s what you absolutely can’t miss – and must fly in for if that’s what it takes.

The festival’s grand opening features the superstar world tenor often heralded as the heir to Luciano Pavarotti, Juan Diego Florez . Just last month at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan he received a 50 (yes, five zero) minute standing ovation and consented to 7 encores – quite the reaction. He’s performing with homegrown Lebanese soprano Joyce El-Khoury – currently based in Canada.

For pop rock lovers, there’s award-winning British indie singer David Gray, best known for his classic 1998 ballad “Babylon,” his powerful lyrics and the great melodies that will no doubt resonate perfectly in the palace walls and surrounding landscape.

Back in 1985, Lebanese music icon Marcel Khalife was the first artist to launch the festival, so this particular edition is his anniversary too. He’ll be performing his most famous songs since that time. He started the festival, so organizers say it’s only fair for him to share in the celebration.

This year the world has been honoring the 100th birthday of the voice that marked jazz like no one else: Billie Holiday. Beiteddine is celebrating too – with a tribute concert by Rebecca Ferguson, another songbird with a very similar voice. Jazz lovers, don’t miss it!

Unlike most of the performances at the yearly festivals, the Bar Farouk musical show is set in the intimate inner courtyard of the palace. It’s a revival of Lebanon’s golden era, transforming the space into a bar night in the old Beirut, and playing music from the 30s to the 70s, including legends like Sabah, ChouChou, Feriel Karim and more. The debut show is created by the same producers of the popular Hishik Bishik Show at Beirut’s Metro al Madina.

It took seven years to bring Russian phenomenon Anna Netrebko to Lebanon. She is not just any soprano – she is the soprano. Considered the most important voice after Maria Callas, her concerts are sold out 6 months in advance in cities like New York, with prices starting at $400. At Beiteddine prices are considerably lower, starting at $50 – quite the markdown for seeing the most important diva today.