Melhem Barakat
Melhem Barakat ملحم بركات | |
|---|---|
 Barakat performing in August 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 4 April 1942 Kfarshima, Lebanon |
| Died | 28 October 2016 (aged 74) Achrafieh, Lebanon |
| Genres | Lebanese music Arabic pop |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 1960–2016 |
| Labels |
|
| Website | melhembarakat.com |
Melhem Barakat (Arabic: ملحم بركات; 4 April 1942 – 28 October 2016), also known as Melhim Barakat, or Abou Majd was a Lebanese singer, songwriter, and melodist. He has toured Australia, South America, Canada, and the United States.[1]
Career
Barakat started his career in the 1960s. He participated as an actor and singer in many of the Rahbani Brothers' musicals and operettas.[2]
Since the 1990s Melhem Barakat had several popular songs, such as "Habibi Enta," which was later sung by his ex-wife May Hariri.[3] He also collaborated with Najwa Karam, Karol Sakr, Shatha Hassoun, and Majida El Roumi.[4]
Biography
He composed music for some of the best Arab singers of the past century, including Sabah, Samira Tewfik, Wadih El Safi and Majida El Roumi (I'tazalt al-Gharam). Barakat was known for his energetic songs that mixed classical music with his personal improvisations.[5]
Family and background
Melhem Barakat first married the Lebanese singer Sabah's sister, Souad. Then he later married Randa Azar with whom he had three children: Majd (Hence Melhem's surname abu-majd), Waad and Ghinwa. His third and final marriage was to May Hariri with whom he had a child: Melhem junior, before the couple divorced.[6] He was Antiochian Orthodox Christian.[7]
Death
He died from cancer on 28 October 2016 at Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital in Achrafieh, Lebanon. He was 74. His funeral took place at Saint Nicolas Church in Achrafieh, Beirut.[7] Many Lebanese singers and politicians were present at the funeral mass, including Ragheb Alama, Fares Karam, Majida El Roumi, Rola Saad and Barakat's ex-wife May Hariri.[8]
References
- ^ "Home". Melhembarakat.com. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Melhem Barakat Yearns for Lost Love". Albawaba.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Melhem Barakat". Fanoos.com. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Shatha Hassoun Collaborates with Melhem Barakat". Waleg.com. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Iconic Lebanese musician Melhem Barakat dies at 71". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Melhem Barakat n'est plus". Lorientlejour.com. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Lebanon bids farewell to legendary singer Melhem Barakat". Khazen.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Funeral of Melhem Barakat". Beiruting.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
