Born in Aleppo in 1918, highly esteemed by native Aleppians but scarcely known beyond the city limits, he has almost always lived outside the "star system". His talent was revealed relatively late on in life, from the seventies on, when he gave a series of concerts in Paris with his group of the time, a vocal quartet known as "The Muezzins of Aleppo". Ever since then he has received constant requests from abroad, has been appointed principal muezzin of the city. Sabri Moudallal is one of Syria's greatest vocal artists, with a prodigious output as a composer. He has taken the art of the flourish to its highest degree, even developing a vocal technique enabling him to take his breath whilst singing. Although he remains a faithful adept of the sacred song, he is equally at home in the secular repertory. In spite of his great age, he is still pursuing his career. He was a pupil of Umar al-Batsch himself, and his great specialty is now the wasla, of which he is a true master in every aspect, down to the most minute detail. Like his master he has also put his hand and skill to composition in the traditional style.