In an exceptional evening hosted in the legendary Victoria Hall in Geneva, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ensemble Les Solistes de Beyrouth captivated the audience with a world-class performance that carried a powerful artistic and humanitarian message across borders, in support of Caritas Lebanon.
This grand artistic event was generously supported by the Department of Culture in the City of Geneva and brought together a distinguished group of international artists in a celebration of Lebanese creativity and its excellence on the global stage.
In the presence of H.E. Lebanese Ambassador to Switzerland Rola Noureddine, H.E. Ambassador Salim Baddoura, Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations in Geneva, and a number of official, religious, and cultural figures, the evening opened with a moving speech delivered by Father Michel Abboud, President of Caritas Lebanon:
“On behalf of Caritas Lebanon, I thank you from the heart for this gathering of music, beauty, and solidarity. This concert is more than a cultural event; it is an act of love. As Saint Augustine said: ‘Where there is love, there is God.’ And tonight, God is present in every rising note, in every gaze directed toward a suffering Lebanon.
As the philosopher Emmanuel Levinas reminds us: ‘The face of the other calls me to responsibility.’ You have answered that call with your presence and your support.
Thanks to you, and to friends like you, Caritas Lebanon continues its mission to serve humanity, even amid the storm. This evening is not only a tribute to Lebanon; it is a living hymn to human fraternity.
Let this music be a prayer: for peace in Lebanon, and for the dignity of every human being.”
A World-Class Performance with a Humanitarian Message
Although the number of performers did not exceed twenty, the power of their voices in the hall gave the impression of a fifty-member ensemble, in both strength and depth. The performance was artistically and meticulously directed by Maestro Fernando Afara, who led the group with remarkable harmony, allowing each voice and instrument to shine within a sophisticated, seamless musical tapestry.
The concert featured contributions from prominent international artists, including:
The evening’s program, spanning over 90 minutes, included sacred masterpieces by Poulenc and Rossini, selections from Verdi and Mascagni, and culminated in a dazzling 50-minute dramatic vocal performance of scenes from Bizet’s Carmen; a delivery that exceeded expectations and rivaled the grandest opera houses in the world.
Valérie Mikhael, Karen Cargill, and Violetta Damaa lit up the stage with radiant voices, while Amboise Dévaré gave an emotionally charged French rendition of Don José’s aria.
In a rare spiritual moment, the ensemble performed the Hymn of Human Rights by the late Jihad Zaydan, highlighted by the angelic voice of Violetta Damaa, before closing the night with a traditional Lebanese tribute by Toufic Sukkar, blending Eastern rhythms with Western spirit — a fitting finale to an unforgettable evening
Lebanon Shines Once Again
This was far more than a musical performance — it was a refined national occasion that illuminated Lebanon’s cultural, artistic, and humanitarian face. Supported by the City of Geneva and its Department of Culture, and through remarkable international collaboration, the event successfully embodied the Caritas mission: love in the service of humanity.
With a standing ovation and resounding applause, the audience of Victoria Hall expressed its awe and pride; a timeless moment of harmony between art and solidarity.