riadh fehri

Born in 1963 in the heart of the Medina of Tunis, Riadh was brought up to music by the Malouf tunes his grand mother used to whisper either to lull or to calm him down . Riadh discovered his flame for music very soon. Aged 13, he conquered the luth he first got acquainted to it by chance thanks to his eldest brother. Ever since that time, he got really into it with passion and became dedicated admirer of the greatest figures like: Zakaria Ahmed, Mohamed Abdelwaheb, and Om Kalthoum… He first got his degree in Italy at Perugia Conservatory then the National Diploma of Arab Music in Tunis. He was taught by great teachers like Doctor Salah El Mehdi ,Kamel Bouraoui, khaled Sdiri Rachid Sellami et Mr Zouhair Bel Heni . In 1990, he founded the Music Conservatory of Sidi Bou Said and managed to reconcile very subtlety between teaching and creation. What’s most fascinating about Riadh Fehri is his incredible gift for detecting beauty and marvels all around him. A special voice tone or a mere note is enough to lead his soul and body to embrace a great adventure. His love for music took him sometimes to difficult paths. Hence, he practiced music therapy at the Razi psychiatric hospital and created conservatories within education centers dedicated. His dream was then to make his public hear the music that stems from his passionate soul. Gradually, he made his dream come true. He happened to be Tunisia’s ambassador at several world music concerts. The year 2005 showed the apex of his career and maturity with the show entitled “The Minaret & the Tower” Once on a trip to Spain, he saw a mosque facing the Alhambra. That was the click for a whole series of music compositions that claim themselves without boundaries and without nationality. Indeed, Riadh’s music is the one that goes beyond time and space; it fosters love and peace and derives her beauty from a genuine blend of cultures. As such, his last creation “Kantara” is the best illustration. In July 25th 2006 Riadh brought in the Symphonic Orchestra of Vienna to the International Carthage Music Festival of Tunisia to perform its repertoire. Confirmed international artists like Brennan GILMORE “guitare and mandoline” Pedro EUSTACHE “flute” Ann Marie CALHOUN “violin” Thomas ROSENKRANZ “piano” and Zack Blater “double bass” participated in this project “Vents 440” in Carthage.