WORLD ACCLAIMED FAIROUZ TO MAKE LAS VEGAS DEBUT AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA
One night only performance on Saturday, May 15

LAS VEGAS, March 22, 1999 - Fairouz, one of the world's most popular and celebrated singers, will make her Las Vegas debut on May 15 with a one night only concert at the Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand, The City of Entertainment. Known as "The Pride of Lebanon," Fairouz has been astonishing international audiences for decades with her singular and ethereal voice.

Born in Beirut to a family of modest means, Fairouz was plucked from obscurity at the young age of 16 when a member of the Lebanese Conservatory recognized her extraordinary talent and chose her to sing Lebanese national hymns. She began her professional musical career at age 17 as a chorus member for the then newly-established Lebanese Radio Station. During these years, Fairouz polished her art. Her voice matured and gained a reputation as hauntingly Eastern but at the same time flexible enough for Western melodies. Her solo career began with a collaboration with Assi Rahbani, one of Lebanon's finest composers, and his songs launched her fame throughout the entire Arab world. This artistic collaboration led to a lifetime together, including marriage and four children.

Her popularity has spread beyond the Middle East and, to date, Fairouz has traveled the globe performing concerts, in plays, at festivals, and in motion pictures. She has headlined in the Middle East, Europe, South America, North America and Australia, at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Albert Hall and Lincoln Center. Her concerts have been attended by royalty and leading political dignitaries. Transcending politics and religion, she has received the symbolic "keys to the city" in most cities where she has performed, including an especially meaningful presentation by the mayor of Jerusalem. To listen to her entire repertoire, one song a day, would take over three years.

Fairouz, whose name means "turquoise," addresses universal themes in her performances - unrequited love, loss and longing for a simpler life. But her songs have special resonance for her homeland, and she strives to portray the beauty of Lebanon, its people, land and culture in all her music. She uses a variety of traditional Arabic instruments, including the ud, the tablah, the nay and the quanan. Dubbed the "king of all instruments," the ud has six strings and produces a deep and mellow sound. The tablah is a versatile and commonly played hand-drum that produces markedly different sounds when struck in the middle or on the side. The nay, the origins of which date back to Sumerian civilization, is a simple reed pipe that produces a wide range of tones. Finally, the quanan, a descendent of the Egyptian harp, is a highly complex instrument with over 80 strings.

Fairouz's performance at the MGM Grand offers a chance to see and hear one of the world's most beloved artists as she takes center stage for one night only. Tickets are now on sale and are priced at $50, $75, $150 and $300.

MGM Grand is also offering a weekend package that includes tickets to the concert and accommodations. The Fairouz package includes a two night stay on May 14 and 15 and two tickets to the show, best available in the price range desired. The two-night double occupancy package prices for deluxe rooms range from $399 to $899. The standard room packages range from $329 to $829.