Suzy Al-Hage-Beirut
With him, we cannot speak other than by music. With him, we breathe in and breathe out music. We sweat and bleed music. We see, hear, smell, touch, and taste music, as music is his second half and his first.
That how we can describe this multitalented composer and tenor, voice coach and music teacher, pianist and oudist, studio designer and sound engineer specialized in music arrangement and orchestration Gaby Farah.
Born in Zouk Mikael – Keserwan, Gaby Farah is a multifaceted composer, singer, and producer. Since 1972, he has been working with private tutors and international mentors focusing on: solfege & theory (Zaki Nassif), vocalization (Badiaa Haddad), analysis & history of music, piano studies (classical & jazz with Setrak), harmony counterpoint (Tufic Succar), oud studies & oriental theory & classical oriental singing (Fouad Aouad), and mainly composition & orchestration.
After graduating in the mid-90s with a diploma in Music and Classical Opera Singing from Holy Spirit University – Beirut, he had master classes and auditions with the international Tenor and Conductor Placido Domingo and other international Masters in Opera. Furthermore, he followed studies in acoustics and sound engineering mainly for the purpose of designing and building his own high-end recording studio according to international standards.
Recently on a TV show, Gaby was asked why it took him so long to show himself to the public. He said “I didn’t want to mend my voice in people’s ears. I studied hard and educated myself in my music to offer my audience a music that brings them closer to me”.
Gaby Farah is the most acclaimed tenor with a long career as a soloist in several choirs in his home country and abroad in Germany (Goslar and Hanover) and in France (Opera de la Bastille and Strasbourg Opera Nationale du Rhin). In the early 90s and till present, he and his soprano spouse Georgette Sawaya form a famous and sought-after duo in many Middle Eastern countries. The couple won many international awards and prizes in their long fruitful career such as the GLADIC Trophy for producing a music video and participating in a concert for peace in 2013 and they both represented Lebanon officially around the world and in so many occasions.
Gaby Farah a gifted promising to be a forever shining star – Zaki Nassif
In Studio Gaby Farah, he is into music production & sound engineering: recording, arranging, songwriting, mixing & mastering, composing for big and official events, movie soundtracks, songs and arias, as well as private music teaching and voice coaching. His jewels of the crown are dwelling in the heart of his kingdom, a ruby-colored studio one ought to visit to discover his astonishing emerald fingers and explore his sapphire dreams.
“With my music I cuddle my love and embrace her light, I tickle the stars and caress the cheeks of the Universe” – Gaby Farah
I might be a poet and a writer, but writing about him gave me the honor of being a historian as I strongly believe that Music and Art are history at its best. He himself explained to me that music is the only path to peace: from inner peace to peace among people. That’s why he deeply cares about teaching the history of music to generations and generations of students. Furthermore, he cofounded “Al Mawadda Community”, a community that is all about building bridges of tolerance under the logo “Peace to the World”.
Perched on his cloud nine, he carries people on his eagle wings lifting them to the seventh heaven, enchanting them with his magical notes and mesmerizing them with his divine gifts and “big and rare voice” as described by the famous Placido Domingo, likening him to Aureliano Pertile, the star of La Scala and the favorite of Toscanini.
“I can murmur to trees, rivers and souls, with my music I soliloquize to my being…”Gaby Farah
Today as always, and as a music coordinator, teacher & master, Gaby Farah’s main concern and dream will be raising “Generations of Peace” as he deeply knows and strongly believes that music not only brings people together but is also a unique opportunity of cross culture exposure and education.
His works of art are pieces of good fortune. His jewels are worth a fortune. His music is his fortune. Gaby Farah, what a treasure trove!