Kami: I sang at 1400 Shows around World except Israel

Interview by Ali Abu Dashish

CAIRO, Nov. 9 (SEE) – An exceptional artist, who belongs to Muhammad Ali Pasha, sang on the stages of the most famous theaters in the world for more than 50 years.

Hassan Kami, who was born on November 2, 1936, graduated from Faculty of Law of Cairo University, then worked at one of the airline companies. After that, he started his path of success by singing at Cairo Opera House. His fluency in many languages helps him to be a unique and multi-talented artist.

Kami won the third global Award in operatic singing from Italy in 1969, the fourth Global Award 1973, the sixth award from Japan in 1976.

Kami spoke with 'SEE' about his career, personal life, and opinions.

• Can you tell us more about your success story in opera singing?

I dreamed about singing at opera and I began to sing at the Cairo Opera House in 1962. Tharwat Okasha, the first minister of culture, and Pianist Abu Bakr Khairat told me that I have the greatest opera voice in Egypt. I signed a contract to perform three shows but I found myself that I had performed 21 shows at the opera. I was the first Egyptian who performed Opera Aida in the Soviet Union in 1974. I sang about 1400 shows including theaters, series and films in various countries except Israel.

• Why did you leave opera singing?

It was all about the age. Anyone has to know when to withdraw from his career to maintain his golden achievements and get respect from the people. Also, I have some problems with my thoracic diaphragm, which mainly helps in singing.

• Could you talk more about your library “Elmstashrk”?

When I was working at one of the airline companies in Downtown Cairo, I noticed a library which was established by an Egyptian-Jewish man in 1953 and bought it after making a friendship with him. I named the library after my dear wife ‘Nagwa’.

• Why didn’t you marry after your late wife?

I was closely related to her. She was like my mother, daughter, sister, and partner. We lived for 40 years and toured the world together. I became infatuated with her. After she had passed away, I felt lonely and was connected to the place where she would sit and now I sit at the same spot in the library.

• How did you feel when you were selected to be a global peace ambassador?

They called me and told me that I had been chosen to be a global ambassador. Firstly, I didn’t believe the matter but when I went to receive the award, I was so happy and greatly honored.

• Who are your friends?

I have a few friends and most of them are abroad. Hussein and Mostafa Fahmy are my friends as well as Ezzat Abou Aouf, Laila Elwi, Nelly, and Zahi Hawass.

• Did you really meet with Um Kulthoum?

Yeah, I was young and had a show. Before the show, a man told me that Um Kulthoum wanted to meet me. I didn’t believe until I saw her. She lauded my voice, saying that I should practice sports and eat a spoon of honey every day.

• How do you see Egypt now?

Egypt managed to overcome several challenges over the past period under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s leadership. He bravely tackles our country’s problems.