Ghassan Saliba - Watany - غسان صليبا - وطني

Ghassan Saliba is a Lebanese singer well known for his patriotic character, either on stage - through the musical plays - or through his songs, and for his strong and warm voice. Ghassan has undoubtedly one of the widest voices among the new generation singers not only in Lebanon but in the whole Arab world.

Ghassan was born in "Majdel Akoura", a village in Jbeil district in Lebanon.
His first appearance was in "Studio El Fan" in 1973 where he got the first prize in "The Lebanese Song" category for singing songs for Wadih Al-Safi such as "Indaq Bab El Bayt Aal Sikkayt", "Baladi", "Tal El Haki", etc.

Ghassan's singing career began when he took part in "Petra" (1977), the popular musical play of Rahbani brothers. His main role in the play was the chief of the caravan who came from "Sour" (Tyr) to give their belongings to the queen.

Later, he took part in another musical play of Romeo Lahood called "Hikayit Amal" (Hope Story).

The general public knew Ghassan through his song "Ya Hilwi Shaarik Darih" which was a big hit at that time (early 80's). Few years later, Ghassan's success and popularity grew immensely and he was given a title "Julio El-3arab" (Julio Of Arabs).

In 1988, he starred in "Sayf 840" (Summer of 1840), a musical play for Mansour Rahbani, where he played the role of "Seif El Bahr", the sailor who returned to his country to fight against the Egyptian Army of "Ibrahim Basha" who was occupying Lebanon. Ghassan proved in that play to be the best to sing patriotic songs. Some of the patriotic songs of the play were "Lama3it Abwa' Essawra", "Zayyinou Essa7a", "Tawwalou Aleina", etc.
Also, the warmth of his voice was clear in "Gharibayn Wu Layl" which is one of the most famous Lebanese love songs ever.

In summary and till now, Ghassan Saliba has acted in 10 musical plays: * Petra ("Petra" by Rahbani Brothers) - 1977 * Hikayit Amal ("Hope Story" by Romeo Lahoud) - early 80's * Sold ("Sold" by Marwan Najjar/Fouad Aouad) - 1984? * Sayf 840 ("Summer of 1840" by Mansour Rahbani) - 1988 * Al Wasiyya ("The Testament" by Mansour Rahbani) - 1994 * Hanibaal ("Hannibal" by Ghassan Rahbani) - 1996 * Imara Min Hal-Zaman ("A Principality In The Past" by Talal Haidar/Saeed Akel - W. Shakespeare play) - 1999 * Wa Qama Fi al-Yawm Althalith ("He Rose On The Third Day" by Mansour Rahbani) - 2000 * Abou Tayeb al-Mutannabi ("Abou Tayeb al-Mutannabi" by Mansour Rahbani) - 2001 * Moulouk el-Tawaef by Mansour Rahbani - 2003

Ghassan has sung over 150 songs starting with "Laqeeni Fawq El Al3a" in 1977. Some of his most famous songs are listed in the songs section.
Source: www.ghassan-saliba.com/profile.php