Macias brings Arab-Andalusian music to Quebec fest

QUEBEC – Enrico Macias was born into a Jewish family in Algeria and left almost 50 years ago, near the end of Algeria’s war for independence.

But even though he has never been back to Algeria and has a French passport, Macias will put on a show of classical Arab-Andalusian music Saturday at Quebec City’s Festival d’été.

« We had to leave, against our will, » Macias told reporters Friday. « Because of history. »

Macias built a career in France as a popular singer, although much of his popular repertoire recalls the exile from Algeria of the « pieds noirs, » Europeans and others, such as himself, who left Algeria and consider themselves exiles.

« I have always been faithful to Algeria because it is my native land, » he said.

The roots of Arab-Andalusian music in the Maghreb region of North Africa are in the Spanish Andalusia, where he recalled Christians, Jews and Muslims lived in « perfect harmony » until the advent of « Isabella the Catholic. »

The marriage in the late 15th century of Isabella of Castile to Ferdinand II of Aragón created Spain and ended that harmony, leading to the persecution and expulsion from Spain of Muslims and Jews.

Macias will be backed up by seven musicians, including a flute player and percussionist from Algeria.

He described the Arab-Andalusian repertoire as « 10,000 hours of music » that is transmitted orally, not in written form.

« I know it all by heart, » he said.

kdougherty@thegazette.canwest.com