Among the Egyptian great composers, Kamel Al-Kholai still captures the public's attention. He is considered one of the early pioneers in the field of musical theatre. His musicals are clear manifestations of the originality of oriental music. He set the trend for others to follow as to composing terza rima.

He was taught lute playing and mastered the rules of the Arabic music at the hands of famous composers of his time such as Ahmad Abu Khalil Al-Qabbani and Salama Hegazi. He traveled to France to know more about Western orchestral music then he focused on lyrical drama and theatrical composition. He composed Operetta Carmen for Munira Almahdya's Troupe in March 17, 1917.

Al-Khola'ie was not only a poet who wrote poetry and songs as well as a prose writer. Moreover, but he was also a music composer whose melodies were marked by the powerful and diversified keys.

His Life:

Al-Khola'ie was born in 1870, in Karmouz in Alexandria. His father was an officer in the army, in Alexandria's garrison. He received his primary education in Alexandria, then he travelled to Cairo. There, he worked as a poster writer, then started to learn music at Muhammad Ali street.

As a child he showed a tendency towards music, so he practised playing on its instruments. Afterwards, his talent in that art appeared developed.

Al-Khola'ie got acquainted with Sheikh Muhammad Tawfeek Al-Bakri, who was a man of letters and an artist as well as a religious scholar. He appreciated Kamel's talent and presented him in the seminars held in his palace.

Al-Khola'ie also got acquainted with Sheikh Abou Khalil Al-Qabbani in Al-Feshawi café in Al-Hussain, where he used to go with the great writer Sayed Tawfeek Al-Bakri, before he knew Sheikh Al-Qabbani.

In 1896, Al-Khola'ie travelled to Syria accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed Abou Khalil Al-Qabbani.

During that period he visited some of the cities of Syria, Baghdad, Al-Asetana and Mousel to study music. Music, at that time, especially in Syria, reached its highest splendor.

He composed 45 operas :(The Japanese Honour and Roy Plus) for George Abiadh Troupe. In the past times (Kan Zaman), Welcome Telegraph (Marhab Al-Telegraph), We told him (Qulna luh)- Off Time (Rahet Aleik) in cooperation with Sayed Darweesh for Amin Sedqi& Ali Al-Kassar Troupe. You are lucky (Alsaad Waad) for Muhammad Bahgat Troupe.

Al-Khola'ie got experienced in oriental, Arab, Persian and Turkish music. He studied the bases of Western music. However, he stuick to oriental music. To him oriental music was a good expression of the oriental spirit, thus he did not attempt to develop or innovate it.

In 1901, after his arrival from Syria, he joined troupe where he worked as a singer. After studying the leaders of music both predecessor and contemporary pioneers, such as Sheikh Abdel Reheem known as Al-Masloup, Abdou Al-Hamoli, Ibrahim Al-Qebali, Muhammad Osman, Salama Hegazi, Dawood Hosni and Sayed Darweesh, he began to compose terza rima and musicals in different troupes.

His Works:

Al-Khola'ie was a man of letters, poet and essayist, he wrote essays in literature and music. In 1903, he wrote a book entitled "Oriental Music" in which he shed light on the history of music and the ethic governing both the singer and listener.

Al-Khola'ie was the first professional musician to give the Arab library three precious compositions in the beginning of this century. These compositions are considered main references in music institutes till this day, especially "Oriental Music", as well as "Nobility of Expectations in the Ways of Songs" and "Contemporary Songs". Hence, it is natural that famous composers of this type of music, such as Al-Qassabgi and Sheikh Mansi Al-Hariri, were influenced by his music.

Al-Khola'ie taught Ahmed Sedqi, Ibrahim Hgag, Ismail Shabana, Abdel Haleem Nowira and others.

In 1917 Al-Khola'ie recomposed the most successful international musicals peformed by Mounira El-Mahdia troupe, such as "Carmen" and "Tayees" in an oriental style which was completely different from their Western counterparts, in his works he adopted Arabic lyrics to Western music and bringing this music closer to the tastes of the Egyptian audients.

Then he started to compose Egyptian musicals, on top of which "the Third Time is the Final" performed by Mounira El-Mahdia. Al-Khola'ie also composed musicals for Awlad Okasha troupe such as, "Oh Thief"the Pearl, Phantom (Taif Al-khayal) Al-Sultan Qlawoun- Al-Dorra, with Sayed Darweesh, solomon's Ring, Salome, What is in life (Al-Donia wa ma fiha), Thief of Baghdad for the Promotion of Arab Acting Troupe. Tea Flower (Zahrat AlShay)- The Magic Hat (Taqiat Al-Ekhfa) for Victoria Moussa Troupe, and several operettas for Muhammad Bahgat troupe such as "Happiness is Destiny", "The Moon has set in", "Condition is an Obligation" and "Congratulation".

In addition, he composed 45 plays for George Abiad troupe as "Cleopatra Palace", "Japanese Honour" and "Faith". Al-Kholài wrote several songs for Om Kulthoum, such as "Fascinated by his good nature", "My heart starts to yearn for you" and " My heart was empty... feard no desertion", which were composed by Dawood Hosni. Al-Khola'ie musical works are about 150 terza rimas of which "Wrap the Belt Around Your Waist", "Workers" and "My sweetheart", in addition to 60 operettas the most famous of which is "The Third Time is the Final".

Al-Khola'ie is a pioneer in teaching music in schools and the first composer who represented Egypt in the World Musical Conference in 1932.

Ironically, Al-Khola'ie's last operetta, before he passed away in 1938 was entitled "Farewell".