Under the direction of R’chid Regragui, a great Moroccan name in musical direction, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Morocco (OPM) recently delivered a concert at the Rialto cinema for the benefit of the Dar Al Atfal Sidi Bernoussi orphanage.

This centre, built by the Sidi Bernoussi Charity Association, has been welcoming orphans and children deprived of family for nearly 30 years.

During this evening, organised on the occasion of the Fête de la Musique and for the second consecutive year, the OPM offered Casablancans a programme articulated around overtures of famous operas such as "L'Orfeo" by Monteverdi, "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart, "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini or "La Traviata" by Verdi.

The public also appreciated during this evening, organised under the banner "Overtures in celebration", an interpretation of dances by Bernstein (West Side Story) and Marquéz (Danzon). As well as two great Moroccan works arranged for orchestral interpretation, Massira El Khadra and Ya Bent Bladi by Chekkara.

The strong presence of the public and the support of companies such as Société Générale, Centrale Laitière and Ingelec and professional organisations such as the FNPI (National Federation of Real Estate Developers), made it possible to raise some 250,000 DH in proceeds. These were entirely paid to the orphanage to meet its needs.

Opened in 1986, Dar Al Atfal Sidi Bernoussi currently welcomes 257 male residents: abandoned children or those from destitute families, orphans and children from broken families.

Abandoned children constitute the majority of the residents of this institution.