Philemon Wehbeh

Biography

Philemon Wehbeh was a Lebanese composer, singer, lyricist and actor.

He composed and sang his own songs in 1941, then wrote for Najah Salam, Sabah, Wadi al-Safi, Fairuz and other performers. Working with the Rahbanis, he played the comic character Sabu and appeared in Jisr al-Qamar, Lulu and Fakhreddine. His compositions include Barhum hakini, Hilwa wa-kadhdhaba, Jayibli salam and Ala jisr al-lawziyya.

Joseph Abi Daher’s script reproduces Wehbeh’s recollection of travelling to Jerusalem to sing before Farid al-Atrash and Muhammad Abd al-Karim. It also quotes his account of learning some notation symbols from Salim al-Hilu and Michel Khayyat before abandoning instruction and relying on his ear. The script describes early schooling in Choueifat, without establishing a music qualification.

His son Saeed recalls compositions emerging during ordinary activities and hunting trips, then being tried on the oud. In the 2018 interview, collaboration with Fairuz and Assi Rahbani involved exchanged suggestions: Min Izz al-Nawm changed from Hijaz to Rast following Assi’s comment. Saeed also remembers hearing Ya Mirsal al-Marasil at home after a hunting trip.

An Army magazine feature from 2011 describes recorded comic monologues including Hamburger, Philemon Ata and al-Bustaji, alongside Rahbani theatre appearances. This published account illustrates his comic work without supplying a complete recording discography. His birth year requires further documentation because the sources disagree.