Dawood Hosni

About

Musician who composed the first Operetta in the Arabic language. He wrote "Shamshoon and Delilah," one of the first Egyptian operas.

Before Fame

He began taking piano classes when he was seven years old. He studied with composer Mohammed Sahabaari.

Trivia

He emulated the singing style of Mohammed Uthman so well that he was hired to record the singer's works in 1932.

Family Life

He was born into a Karaite Jewish family. His mother was of Bedouin origin. His father worked as a jeweler.

Associated With

He became a prominent composer about a half-century after Austrian legend Richard Wagner.