A Journey Through Naser al-Din Shah’s Memories at an Amsterdam Concert: The Female Singer, Well-Dressed but Not Very Charming, With a Voice Like a Howling Dog!

According to the Historical Service of Saed News, here is an excerpt from the Shah’s diary on Wednesday, 29 Khordad 1268 (corresponding to Shawwal 1306 AH), describing his attendance at a concert in Amsterdam, Netherlands:

We went to the concert accompanied by the governor, Amin al-Sultan, and some of their attendants. Upon entering the hall, there was a crowd of men and women; the governor said there were seven thousand people. The audience rose and cheered as we passed through. On both sides, there were many beautiful women and girls… so many eyes were fixed upon us that it was almost embarrassing. We moved forward, and a large seat had been prepared for us.

The musicians began to play. The organ sounded loudly, echoing through the grand hall. Then a female singer appeared. She was well-dressed and not unattractive, but her singing sounded to us like a dog’s howl. The audience, however, seemed delighted and applauded enthusiastically—we could not understand a word she was singing.

Afterwards, we moved to the other side of the stage, where the audience turned their backs to the concert to watch the stage. The set was magnificent—filled with trees and a forest-like backdrop. Young women danced among the trees. The dancers were stunning and elegant, their costumes dazzling. They performed a variety of dances, each more captivating than the last.

Finally, we went to a room at the back, a private royal box. There were a few Algerian Arabs—five women and a young, hairless, strong-built man. We watched them play music and dance. They performed with the darbuka, setting the rhythm for the dance. Their movements were so skillful and lively that even Karim Shireh and Esmail Bazzaz could not replicate them. The city governor, intoxicated with excitement, and the general hosting us, were both spellbound, their eyes fixed on the performers, as if they could devour them with their gaze.