Eva Maria,
the Artist
My passion for arts is mainly seen through my singing practice, having been a member of the Antonine University Choir (Lebanon) as a mezzo-soprano since November 2008 (till my New Zealand move in 2017) with a repertoire ranging from religious oriental church singing to operas and concerts including: Nozze di Figaro (Mozart), Don Giovanni (Mozart), Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni), Stabat Mater (Dvorak), Messa di Gloria (Puccini), Messa di Gloria (Rossini), Messa da Requiem (Mozart), Messa da Requiem (Donizetti), Messa da Requiem (Verdi)... The Choir performs internationally and has given concerts at the Carnegie Hall, San Pietro - Vatican, Rome, Napoli, Paris... among other destinations.
Whenever I am back in Lebanon for a visit, I also take part in the Antonine University Choir’s musical agenda and concert. I have therefore performed the Stabat Mater (Rossini) at the Baalbeck International Festival, in July 2018.
My main singing languages are: Lebanese Arabic, Arabic, French, English, Spanish, Italian, Latin.
Click here to view my 2019 Showreel
Since my move to New Zealand in 2017, I have adopted the stage name Rachidé as a tribute to my parents and my heritage.
I have since represented Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup quarter final game of Lebanon vs. Tonga (Christchurch, November 2017) where I performed the Lebanese National Anthem and Lebanese folk songs. I have also represented the Lebanese in New Zealand at the Lebanese Diaspora Energy - Oceania conference (Sydney, March 2018) where I sang the Lebanese National Anthem at the conference opening ceremony.
As Rachidé, I have been chosen to perform in the Development Season of America Rex, drawing on my musical Lebanese heritage, bringing it on stage with a culturally diverse cast.
I then sang the Lebanese National Anthem at the FIBA World Cup Basketball Asia Qualifier - Lebanon vs. New Zealand (Rotorua, September 2018).
I have also opened two exhibitions of artist Jimmy James Kouratoras in Queenstown and Auckland, directed by Dione Joseph; as well as performing in multiple events organised by the Lebanese community in Auckland.
In August 2018, I took part in the Development Season of the America Rex play, written by Tom Minter, directed by Dione Joseph with out-of-this-world paintings by Jimmy James Kouratoras and an amazing diverse cast of professional actors from New Zealand.
The play was hosted at the TAPAC for three consecutive sold-out nights, from 29 to 31 August 2018.
I am also a signed talent for commercials and other screen parts with Vanity Walk Modelling & Talent Agency.