Lebanese singer Alissa will for the first time throughout her career take part in the International Carthage Festival in Tunisia for the year 2004, which is an annual festival that features some of the most prominent names of the music industry. Alissa revealed that she has already signed a contract with the organizers of the festival to be part of the star lineup.
According to the London based Elaph, Alissa expressed her honor at getting the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious festival, stressing that her success in it will mark a turning point in her career proving that she is going in the right direction. The singer added that what signifies the festival is the fact that Tunisian audience is a very straightforward one that shows appreciation to a singer when he/she deserves it.
The festival is considered to be one of the most important Arab, African and World festivals. The amphitheatre which was restored at the beginning of the 20th Century and adapted to modern technology (it takes in up to 7500 spectators), has hosted various civilizations, and is considered today in Tunisia as a symbol site. It was used during the 1960's to host jazz concerts and plays.
Carthage Festival was founded in 1964; it attracted famous artists throughout the world such as: Hedi Semlali, Ali Riahi, Hedi Jouini, Fayrouz, Sabah Fakhri, and Warda. Moreover, the Festival invited artists from outside the Arab and Mediterranean area to offer its spectators a wide range of artistic creation.
With regards to Alissa, she is in the process of preparing for her upcoming album, which will be her first with the Music Production Company Rotana. The singer noted that she has worked with some of the most prominent poets and composers to ensure that her new album is up to high standards.
After Lebanese prominent singer Majida Al Roumi pulled out of the British Hope Foundation Fundraising event at the Royal Albert Hall in London and Nawal Al Zoughbi was unable to make it due to a mix-up in plane reservations, Lebanese singer Alissa remained the only Arab singer taking part in the big event. Alissa became the highlight of the show with a spectacular appearance in a black dressed especially designed for her by Lebanese well-known designer Elli Saab.
The singer performed her popular hit single "Aishalak" I Live for You). Other international singers taking part in the event also performed one song each, and the event was marked with remarkable success. The singer announced that upon her return to Lebanon she will resume recording songs for her upcoming album, marking her first work under the production of Rotana Music Company.
Alissa has announced that she will include the new song "Aribli" (Come Closer), which is the song she sings in the new Pepsi Cola commercial, in her upcoming album. The song will be featured in her first album under the Music Production Company Rotana, which Alissa has signed a contract to develop three albums with.
Alissa has decided to incorporate the song due to the fact that the it was especially made for her to sing, even thought it is originally created to be sung in the commercial. The song is written by Nabil Abu Abdo and composed by Jan Mary Riyashi. The new album by Alissa will also include the songs "Ahla Dunia" (The Best World) and "Kul Youm Fi Omri" (Everyday of My Life), in addition to a number of songs composed and written by carefully selected writers and composers.
The singer had signed an agreement with the international soft drink company Pepsi Cola becoming the official spokesperson for the company in the Middle East. The agreement between Alissa and Pepsi is part of the company’s strategic plan to expand the popularity of Arab singers and their music making it reach the entire globe.
Alissa appeared as the first spokesperson displaying Pepsi’s new soft drink “Pepsi X” in a new commercial with a song “Aribli” (Come Closer), written especially for her and is aired on all local and satellite TV stations. Through this step the singer will have officially become part of Pepsi’s star family that includes some of the most well-known names of the Arab world and abroad like, American singer Madonna, Britney Spears, Enrice Igleasis, and Arab singers Nawal Al Zoughbi and Amr Diab.
Pepsi’s regional marketing manager stressed that Alissa was chosen specifically to represent Pepsi’s new energy drink is due to the fact that she enjoys such a lively and outgoing personality, and stands for everything that is natural and energetic, which is what the drink signifies. Earlier, Alissa had denied the news of signing an agreement with Pepsi wanting to keep it a secret until all the arrangement are complete. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
