On January 13, 2009, the legendary singer Fairouz lost one of the pillars of her artistic journey with the passing of composer Mansour Rahbani, the brother of her late husband Assi (who passed away in 1986). Together, Fairouz and the Rahbani brothers formed a remarkable artistic triangle, creating a musical legacy that continues to resonate with the fans of “The Neighbor of the Moon.”
Mansour Rahbani, who had three children—Marwan, Odi, and Osama—was a key figure in the Arab musical theater scene. Alongside his brother Assi, he helped craft an enduring musical legacy that has shaped Arab music and theater. Despite the loss of his brother, Mansour managed to preserve and continue this legacy, carrying the torch of creativity and keeping the Rahbani legacy alive.
Assi’s death left a profound impact on Mansour, who went through a significant emotional shock. However, he continued his artistic journey in accordance with his brother’s will, saying, “I continued the difficult journey because a person must complete the message.” Despite his efforts to carry on the Rahbani project, he was never able to fill the immense void left by Assi, and his brother’s spirit remained with him throughout his creative endeavors.
Mansour Rahbani believed that genius could not be inherited, but he recognized the promising talent in the new generation of Rahbanis, such as Ziad and Marwan Rahbani. In one of his interviews, he said: “The new generation has studied music, they have excelled in the field, and they have a comprehensive culture and a love for reading, which makes them unique in this era when true talent is scarce.”
While the Rahbani brothers had a relatively small number of cinematic works, they focused primarily on musical theater. Mansour explained this preference by saying, “Musical theater is more important because it captures fleeting moments, while cinema remains. I love what does not stay because it carries with it the true moments of life.”
Mansour also rejected the term “alternative theater” when referring to his works, emphasizing that every artist has his own message and presence. He also opposed any attempts to separate the Rahbani legacy, stating, “I do not like the phrase ‘starting where the Rahbani brothers ended,’ because we have not ended. Art is not an alternative, but a continuation and a legacy.”
The story of Fairouz’s collaboration with the Rahbani brothers is also a fascinating one. It was the renowned musician Halim Roumi (the father of Magida El Roumi) who discovered Fairouz’s voice, leading her to meet Assi Rahbani (whom she married in 1954). Assi and Mansour worked together to develop a new type of music, and they found in Fairouz’s voice the perfect vehicle to blend Eastern and Western music in a fresh and innovative way. Over time, the trio (Fairouz and the Rahbani brothers) became icons of modern music in Lebanon and the Arab world.