Mosaica’s ‘Mix-Tape’ delivers to packed audience

AMMAN — Jordan’s award-winning vocal ensemble Mosaica Singers put on a thrilling performance Thursday night at the Terra Santa College Theatre. It was the opening event in the series of three performances held over the weekend.

More than just a music concert, “The Mix-Tape” was a full show, featuring a rich stage production, with great acting, attractive settings, energetic dancing and fine visual dynamics that rivalled international stage musicals. A seven-member band of top-notch instrumentalists accompanied the 47 singers, with maestro Nedy Muna conducting the whole set. The artistic and operational teams included over 65 members working in the background to stage “The Mix-Tape”.

The entire ensemble delighted the packed theatre, from the choice of songs to the thoughtful balance between the Arabic and English pieces, to the stage presence of virtually every participating singer or musician and the inspired conducting of Nedy Muna.

Beyond description, analysis or sophisticated critiques, Mosaica Singers brought pure pleasure, the feeling of simply being happy to be there and enjoying what you are hearing and watching. In the organisers’ own words: “Our objectives extend to our community, as we are dedicated to the growth and enrichment of the cultural scene in Jordan”.

The vocalists demonstrated exquisite harmonies, refined voices, highly professional renditions and the kind of tight, perfect timing you are only given in post-edited studio-recorded music. The soloists demonstrated talent and flair; in particular tenor singer Basem Muna who enchanted the audience with his moving, warm voice and his inspired interpretation of “The key to my heart”, an Arabic classic by Egyptian master Farid Al Atrash.

The choice of songs covered pieces from Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock” to Ben E. King’s “Stand by me”, to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Abba’s “Thank you for the music”, as well as popular Arabic songs made famous by Lebanon’s Julia Boutros, Asmahan and Sayyed Darwish.  

As an encore, Nedy Muna invited the audience to participate and to sing along to “Aghani, Aghani” (Songs, Songs), a number by the late Egyptian-born French-Italian diva Dalida, which consisted of a subtle medley of several well-known Arabic standards.