Last month, the opera house also hosted its first concert by ... the music, the people who have come to listen that's the best image of Damascus," she said, beaming, and wearing a white hijab.

To applause, percussionist Bahjat Antaki took the stage with Syria's national symphony orchestra, marking the first classical concert at the Damascus opera house since president Bashar al-Assad ...

To applause, percussionist Bahjat Antaki took the stage with Syria's national symphony orchestra, marking the first classical concert at the Damascus opera house since president Bashar al-Assad’s ...